tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73888103807972978792024-03-19T05:08:14.466-07:00Cooking and All That JazzThe Bard said it best in his play "Twelfth Night"
"If music be the food of love, play on"
Let's skew his meaning a bit and see just where the love of food and the love of music takes us.Anne in the kitchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.comBlogger1460125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-54318329810875181142024-03-18T21:44:00.000-07:002024-03-18T22:26:15.580-07:00Small Things That Made Me Happy<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This past week I found joy mainly in the small things, but this week things should change from small to grand. Well at least grand in my small life way of thinking. The week should begin with a whimper, but end with a bang. We are leaving to go visit the most beautiful girl in my world, and I can't wait to see her.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IVEATF7VNTk" width="320" youtube-src-id="IVEATF7VNTk"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Monday:</b> I really do like to start the week with a pretty thorough refrigerator inventory, since food loses generally originate there, mainly in the produce drawers. Everything looked good, and should last through the end of the week's menu plan. And with grocery prices being what they are, that is a true joy. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Other than doing a ton of weekly organizing, laundry and food prep, my biggest joys were talking with all three of my sons, plus my granddaughter.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">TheHub was tired and went to bed early, so I (who had not seen but one movie nominated for an Oscar) watched <i>Poor Things.</i> After watching it I understand why Emma Stone won the best actress award, but the movie itself was definitely not my cup of tea. The movie style reminded me of The Grand Budapest Hotel, but the subject was vastly different.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Tuesday: </b>I woke to a drop dead gorgeous day.<b> </b>My favorite, and only, handyman was at the house by 9 a.m. We had a list of chores for him and he is excellent at what he does, but will only accept jobs for things he is good at. I have yet to find anything he does not do well.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I asked him to paint the stairs (built last summer and had time to age before staining). Our deck is in three parts, covered and screened, covered and unscreened, and the third part is open to all the elements with a southern sun exposure. It does require a bit more care than the other parts. When I looked out he had stained that entire part of the deck, because he thought the new stain on the stairs made the rest of that portion of the deck look dirty. He is a jewel!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I also got to talk with Sluggy, which always means laughs!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Wednesday:</b> This was another gorgeous day. I had my normal Wednesday class, did a little shopping, talked with Sluggy again (laughs aplenty) did a little reading, and then realized I had a few more grocery items to buy. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The deck was bone dry so the steak meal was on go! For the first time in eons, I had none in the freezer and headed to Publix. My mistake! We usually share a Porterhouse steak and they had none. Instead I bought a New York strip, and we found after grilling it there is a reason I try and buy meats exclusively from The Pig. Lesson learned!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Thursday:</b> My Beloved Sister went with me to Independence Place for our volunteering day. Since it was pi day it only made sense to have them make individual pies. Chocolate was a no brainer and we did a little experiment making peanut butter pie using instant vanilla pudding as a base. The pb pie was a success and pi day was a hit! We might do something similar in the fall with pumpkin or apple hand pies. The days I volunteer there are the very best days I have. When I call it my happy place I am not exaggerating. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When TheHub came home we took my car to Costco to fill it up. Their gas price still beats everyone else in town. Once the tank was filled we drove to our favorite neighboring restaurant for dinner,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Friday:</b> Friday was a rainy and overcast morning, and even though the rain stopped mid morning I was able to stay home all day . My one disappointment of the day? I forgot to call My Beloved Sister, disguise my voice and say "Beware The Ides of March"</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">TheHub and I watched Alabama basketball get trounced. Oh well, no more basketball until March Madness begins.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Saturday: </b>We had a "dolottle" Saturday. Each of us had some things we worked on separately around the house, then we came together to watch Alabama softball (they were killed by Georgia) and finished the series "Masters of the Air". We really did enjoy watching it. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Sunday: </b>It was a gorgeous but much cooler morning when we headed to church. Neither of us have green clothes so as our bid to St. Paddy's Day, TheHub wore green socks and I wore a green necklace and bracelet. We are both mutts, and I am sure we both have some Irish hidden somewhere in our family trees.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Once home we messed around with separate projects, set down and planned some activities and trips for after TheHub's retirement, watched the selection show for March Madness, then sat down to eat the American traditional St Patrick's Day meal. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I had never corned a brisket at home before and it was a delicious experiment. I will be doing it again. When I bought the whole brisket and butchered it, the flat was so big I cut it in half and froze them separately. There is still one in the freezer along with the point I froze for smoking.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We have been streaming "The Chosen" nearly every night during Lent. Because we will be out of town most of next week and have most of season 3 left, we watched 2 episodes. By our calculations watching it this week and once we return we should finish the last episode on Easter Eve.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Look for your joys, they are always out there.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">May all your weeds be wildflowers.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Anne</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>March Reading:</b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;">The Girl Who Lived Twice</span></i></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Remote Sympathy </i></span><span style="font-size: medium;">(I have been reading this between library books and it took a while to finish)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">North Woods</span></i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The Things We Keep</i></span></div>Anne in the kitchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-80107297106965543292024-03-17T23:25:00.000-07:002024-03-17T23:25:27.893-07:00Dinner Plans<div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I'm ;ate posting this. We had a normal Sunday, and to be perfectly honest I rarely am on the computer on Sundays. I do not like to find myself going down wormholes when TheHub is home, and I might if I started scanning sites.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/k1BneeJTDcU" width="320" youtube-src-id="k1BneeJTDcU"></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">This song is not for the easily offended</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Monday Plans: Chicken cacciatore, sautéed zucchini, </b><b>spinach salad</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The leftover bucatini from TheHub's spaghetti night last week was used as the bed for the cacciatore. Instead of having the zucchini as a side dish I just cooked it as part of the chicken dish. I used just a small amount of the spinach for the spinach salad, and it was moved on to become a veggie side dish during the week</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Tuesday Plans: Steak, mashed potatoes, sauteed mushrooms, tossed salad </span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It was the perfect day for cooking steaks outdoors, but the handyman came and painted the deck the grill is attached to. Punt time.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Low carb chicken Tuscan soup</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The chicken left from the rotisserie chicken lunch Sunday, and the chicken broth from the same bird became the basis for the soup meal. I had a bunch of spinach left over from Monday, along with about a cup of the sauce the cacciatore was cooked in. It all went in a soup pot along with sun dried tomatoes, cauliflower, and Italian seasonings. A little cream and a dash of Parmesan cheese turned it into a really good meal with enough leftover for at least 3 lunches. Steak meal moved to Wednesday</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Wednesday Plans: Steak, mashed potatoes, sautéed mushrooms, chopped salad</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The mashed potatoes were left over from the weekend, the onion and bell pepper (still about 1/4 of each left) for the chopped salad were leftover from the cheesesteak waffle meal. There was enough steak for shaved slices to move to the weekend. There was also a half carton of mushrooms to move to a later meal.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Thursday: Out to eat</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>We plan an evening out every week, and Thursday was the night we chose. We went to the place closest </span><span>to our neighborhood, The Electric, for a couple of flatbreads. TheHub always has the original. I generally get the wedge salad, but my mouth wanted something more exciting so I chose the pyromania flatbread. Wow it was perfectly hot and tasty.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Friday Plans: BBQ chicken, coleslaw, potato salad</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I forgot TheHub had bought a meatloaf/ mac and cheese meal when he at lunch at Cracker Barrel earlier in the week. It had to be eaten right away, so we shared the meatloaf, TheHub had the mac and cheese, and we both had green beans. Nothing moved forward to the next meal. Chicken meal moved to Saturday.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Saturday Plans: BBQ chicken, coleslaw, potato salad</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As dinnertime got closer and closer and I had still not made the potato salad, I punted. The potato was tossed in the microwave, some cooked shredded chicken was pulled from the freezer and thawed. I used the shredded cabbage from earlier in the week, the bell pepper remnants, and about 1/4 of the leftover onion and sun dried tomatoes were tossed with an oil and vinegar dressing for coleslaw. The chicken was sauced and used to stuff the baked potato.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Sunday Plans:</b> Corned beef, cabbage, potatoes</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I had corned a beef brisket over a week ago for a St. Paddy's meal. We had invited Son2 and DIL2 for dinner but they were working on their house and did not finish until much later. Since they could not make it I booted the potatoes and cooked each of us a carrot instead. We have a ton of food leftover.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>This week's plan: </b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I am only going to plan Mon- Thursday. We have plans for Friday night and will be going to see Pip on Saturday and will not be home for a few days.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1. Reuben casserole, cucumber tomato and onion salad</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2. Cabbage soup, cornbread</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">3. Sandwiches TBD, coleslaw</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">4. Taco salad</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Have a great week staying on plan, going off plan, or with no plan at all.</span></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>Anne in the kitchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-17919577728386501392024-03-12T07:51:00.000-07:002024-03-12T07:51:13.035-07:00Oops, I Forgot<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Even though I have had all these joys from last week already written, I forgot to post it yesterday.<br /> I seem to be a day behind. In fact I seem to be behind in everything I do, or want to do right now. Do I sigh, or do I just laugh it off?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/O2G7ussSdb0" width="320" youtube-src-id="O2G7ussSdb0"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Monday:</b> Independence Place fun with My Beloved Sister. Nothing is better for my soul than to go there. This time they made pancakes. Only one participant wanted plain pancakes and only one wanted blueberry. The rest chose chocolate chip pancakes for their treat. There is no where else I go that I feel so much love.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">TheHub and I rode up to the bluff to see the sunset, but we were a little too late. The afterglow was still beautiful though.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Tuesday:</b> I am counting the privilege of voting as my big joy for the day. I was dismayed at how few people turned out to vote. When I was there I counted only 6 people voting. How sad is that?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Wednesday: </b>TheHub and I had an early evening meeting that lasted a tiny bit longer than we thought it would. Even though it took a while, it was very productive and things look decent as TheHub moves toward retirement. I am just glad we had planned to go out to eat. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Thursday:</b> Little housework, lots of reading. Is there a better joy than that?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Friday: </b>This was a miserable rainy day. It was perfect for catching up on laundry, while reading, then reading a little more. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After dinner TheHub and I watched Napoleon. I do think Joaquin Phoenix was too old for the part, but he did a good job of playing him.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Saturday: </b>We stayed at home on Saturday and cemented plans for our upcoming Portland trip. We also watched Alabama basketball and softball. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Sunday:</b> We went to church, did a little running around afterward and came home to watch Alabama softball. Florida spanked Alabama.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Look for your joys, no matter how small they are out there!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>March Reading:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">The Girl Who Lived Twice</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Remote Sympathy </i></span><span style="font-size: medium;">(I have been reading this between library books and it took a while to finish)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">North Woods</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">May all your weeds be wildflowers.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Anne</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Anne in the kitchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-32171826870477364872024-03-10T22:48:00.000-07:002024-03-11T07:09:49.495-07:00Not Exactly What I Had In Mind<div><span style="font-size: medium;">This cascading meal plan did not go like I thought it might. TheHub has not been feeling great and the meals I had planned were just not what sounded very good to him. Luckily I could just "shop" from things I have on hand to satisfy his tastes.</span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eE36-7_pwI0" width="320" youtube-src-id="eE36-7_pwI0"></iframe></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Monday Plans: vegetable "crab" cakes, fries, hushpuppies, coleslaw</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I booted the fries and hushpuppies. Instead we had the faux crab cakes, coleslaw and dinner rolls. The only things that were cascading was the coleslaw which was processed but left undressed for another meal and about 3/4 of an onion which will move to the chicken casserole</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Tuesday Plans: Chicken cheesesteak casserole</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">TheHub was not feeling well and only wanted cheese toast and ginger ale for dinner. I was not going to cook for just me so I had cheese toast and dill pickles. The casserole will move down the menu.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">W<b>ednesday Plans: Out to eat</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">We had a meeting Wednesday in the early evening, and planned to go out to eat afterward.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Thursday Plans</b>: <b>Chicken cheesesteak casserole, green beans</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The chicken that was cooked and frozen last week was thawed for the cheesesteak casserole. I had frozen green beans that were eaten as the side dish. Nothing was left to cascade to another meal.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><b>Friday Plans: Cottage pie, green beans</b> </span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>The coleslaw was dressed and served with cottage pie. Cooked and frozen ground chuck from last week’s bbq cheeseburger waffle was used in the filling. </span><span>Extra mashed potatoes were made to be used with Sunday night’s meal.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Saturday Plan: Steak or chicken cacciatore</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Neither of us wanted to have a steak or chicken cacciatore . TheHub found some of last week’s spaghetti sauce in the freezer, cooked some bucatini and called it a meal. I had a frozen tv dinner with leftover coleslaw. His meal smelled and looked much better than mine.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Sunday Plan: Lunch: Rotisserie chicken, coleslaw </b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"> Had to make more coleslaw, dressed enough for lunch and saved the rest for this week’s meal. Removed the chicken from the bones after we had lunch, then simmered the bones for 3 hours. I wound up with about a quart of chicken broth to use in a soup meal</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner: Grilled tuna steaks, mashed potatoes or caulimash, and tossed salad.</b> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The only things moving forward are about a cup of both mashed potatoes and caulimash. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Coming this week:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Steak, mashed potatoes, sautéed mushrooms, tossed salad</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Corned beef, cabbage, potatoes and carrots</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Black and blue salad</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Chicken cacciatore, sautéed zucchini, spinach salad. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">BBQ chicken, coleslaw, potato or caulitato salad</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Soup TBD based on what is left from the meals from the week</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Out to eat or sandwiches</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Have a great week staying on plan, going off plan, or with no plan at all.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Anne in the kitchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-72111757200998612662024-03-04T13:56:00.000-08:002024-03-04T13:56:02.746-08:00Back to Joys<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well, it looks like I am back to a more traditional joy list. At least for now I am. I am trying a different way of meal planning and preparing which might or might not work. Nonetheless this is what I am going to be doing, and I am all right with it.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1rmPckNvD3E" width="320" youtube-src-id="1rmPckNvD3E"></iframe></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Monday:</b> I stayed at home and spent a good deal of the day in the kitchen. My time there waffled between advance cooking for the week and inventorying my pantry and fridge. I am loaded with food for the moment, and probably need to have a dinner party to use some of it. If that is not a first world problem I don't know what is.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Additionally I was able to catch up on my laundry and have some quality reading time.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">TheHub and I decided for the Lenten season we would watch (or rewatch for me) all 3 seasons of The Chosen. Having the app on the FireStick makes it very easy.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Tuesday: </b>Oh wow it was gorgeous, really warm, and blue, blue skies. Had a phone call and long conversation with Sluggy., It is always a joy to laugh with friends. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Wednesday: </b>Another gorgeous day happened. I did get the coat closet completely emptied, cleaned out and decluttered. Several things either went into the donation box for the exchange club, or found new homes via my community Buy Nothing facebook site. Getting rid of an overload of stuff is a real joy.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Thursday: </b>What happened? Our day started off as a gorgeous day, then it got cooler! I declare this a personal foul. Once you give me warm days, I think they should continue.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The landscaper finally put the sod in the places that were disturbed when we reconfigured the front yard. We only signed the contract with him before Thanksgiving. Not timely at all but at least that part of it is done. I am still not sure where the sod for the side yard is.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">TheHub and I went out to eat for a little casual celebration dinner. (The only criteria for the restaurant was to have a really good vodka martini because sometimes toasts are in order) </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Friday:</b> The day was overcast with intermittent rains which is fine, but it was cold. I thought I was done with sweater weather, but I guess not.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I had to run to the bank and post office and when I returned home I sat in the car counting the number of robins in my front yard. I managed to count 21 at one time before the flock was spooked. We have robins year round, so I am guessing these were migratory birds stopping for a bit of refreshment before heading north to herald spring.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Because you cannot do too much of a good thing we went out to eat again. We were at a sports bar/restaurant with a gozillion TV's. While we ate we sort of watched "Friday Night Heights" (women's gymnastics. Alabama was in a meet with LSU. After we ate we came home and finished watching it. I have no idea how they do all the things they are able to do with their bodies. Call me impressed!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Saturday:</b> We did our usual Saturday morning running around, talked to Pip and planned our next trip to Portland. While we were riding on a couple of back roads to go to the grocery store, we saw something we have never seen before___a baby coyote, by itself standing on the side of the road. You have to understand we do not live in a remote area and the babe was on a side street that runs parallel to a 5 lane road. It made me sad to see it alone, but . . . .</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Once home, we watched Alabama softball (back to back games) then watched Alabama men's basketball.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I think if Alabama had a tiddlywinks team we would watch it.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Sunday: </b>I woke at 4:30 and could not get back to sleep so I hopped up, drank coffee and read until time to get ready for church. A lot of time we go out for a quick lunch afterward, but we came straight home and ate here. We both had a few things to do before getting ready to go to a gallery showing one of our neighbors had. We really do like this particular neighbor quite a bit and went specifically to hear the "artist talk" with a very talented facilitator who asked interesting questions. I have known she was an artist (actually both she and her husband are) since they moved in, but it was a lot of fun to hear her stories of her career in art, along with her inspirations.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When we returned home we watched "Masters of the Air". If you have Apple TV and are looking for a good series, this might be for you. I would call it the air force equivalent of "Band of Brothers" </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Books read in January:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Demon Copperhead</span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Paper Names</span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Symphony of Secrets </span></i></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Mardi Gras Murder </i>(Because it's Mardi Gras time)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>5 O'Clock Band </i>(Ditto)</span></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Books read in February:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i style="font-size: large;">Lillian Boxfish takes a Walk</i></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The Nightingale</i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hoping for better March reading but no book is completed yet</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Look for your joys, large or small. They are always out there.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">May all your weeds be wildflowers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Anne</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Anne in the kitchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-81455708372908077222024-03-03T15:40:00.000-08:002024-03-03T15:40:49.212-08:00Changing Things<p><span style="font-size: medium;">I have decided I am going to start posting my menu and food plan on Sundays because I am trying something a little different.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">While watching a Youtube video I recently heard the term cascading menu and the vlogger explained what she meant. (I wish I could remember who she was and I would share the link) She makes her menu based on what she will have left over from her meals, cooks or preps items to be used for more than one meal. I thought I would give it a try and plan 2 weeks of meals as a test.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bQstQST1GiM" width="320" youtube-src-id="bQstQST1GiM"></iframe></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;">I do not know of any song about cascading anything but I have heard of The Cascades before.</span><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I think I will like the idea of doing this as long as I can make sure we have very different meals using whatever is left, cooked, or prepped at the same time.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I can eat leftovers, but I have to reform them for TheHub. And honestly neither of us love monotonous meals.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Yep, I guess time will tell.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Planned for this week:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;">1. Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes, green beans, cucumber salad</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">2. BBQ cheeseburger waffles, cauliflower side dish TBD</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">3. Chicken divan (ton of broccoli left over from Sunday's dinner to use)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">4. Hot and sour soup, spring rolls</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">5. Big salad meal TBD</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">6. Potential celebration meal at a restaurant</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">7.Spaghetti w/ meat sauce, tossed salad</span></div><div><br /></div><div><b>How this cascading thing actually worked:</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Monday:</b></div><div><b>Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes, green beans, cucumber salad</b> - scratched the green beans and used spinach leftover from egg bites made and frozen for breakfasts. Instead of mashed potatoes, I served my meatballs on caulirice.</div></span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Tuesday:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><b>Chicken divan over rice</b> - used broccoli left over from Sunday's dinner, and cauliflower rice from the Swedish meatball meal. </span><span>While I was poaching the chicken for for the divan, I cooked enough for the cheesesteak casserole (planned for next week) figuring I might as well kill two birds with one stone. I fortified the poaching liquid with a little Better than Bouillon, because I needed about 2 tablespoons of rich stock for the chicken divan. The rest of the liquid was saved as a base for the hot and sour soup. While slicing the mushrooms for the chicken divan I also sliced them for the soup meal. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Wednesday:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><b>Hot and sour soup, spring rolls</b> - Used mushrooms and chicken broth from chicken divan night. </span><span>The hot and sour soup was not vegetarian because it had chicken broth as it's base, but it had no meat or fish in it. In addition to the white mushrooms sliced while making the chicken divan, I added baby bellas. They have a slightly different flavor and a meatier texture. After they were prepped I realized I did not need all the white mushrooms I sliced. I put the extras in some seasoned vinegar and oil to use in the salad meal. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The spring rolls were just matchstick slices of red onion, carrot, cucumber, celery, radish, cabbage and red pepper. While the red onion was out, I cut several slices to make a quick pickled onion for the chef's salad meal and chopped some for the cheeseburger waffle meal. I also sliced red pepper for the salad and chopped a little for the waffle meal.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Thursday:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Out to eat at The Electric. Flatbread for TheHub, pimento cheese BLT for me</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Friday:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Out to eat at Baumhower's . Hot Lips salad for me (very hot sauce brushed on the chicken that tops the salad) Shrimp Po boy for TheHub.</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Saturday:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Lunch:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Italian chef's salad</b> (moved to Saturday's lunch) - Used the marinated mushrooms and pickled onions prepped when making the soup meal. Also used the marinade liquid to make the salad dressing. This was much smaller than it would have been as a dinner meal. I have lots of marinated mushrooms and pickled onion leftover for salad lunches next week.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>BBQ cheeseburger waffles, coleslaw</b> (booted cauliflower side dish and opted for coleslaw) - Used the chopped onion from soup night. Cooked ground chuck for next week's cottage pie while cooking for this meal.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Sunday: </b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Spaghetti w/ meat sauce, tossed salad </b>- Though we will not have eaten before this is posted, it really does not matter. Nothing was used from any other meals. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I made and froze then sauce Monday morning before I ever heard the term cascading menu. But that does not exclude the possibility of something from this moving into next weeks menu.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The first week was pretty easy to do. I guess the true test will be to see what happens the second week.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Week 2 plans:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Chicken cheesesteak casserole, green beans</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Grilled tuna steaks, mashed potatoes, tossed salad</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Chicken cacciatore, spinach salad, spaghetti</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Cottage pie, coleslaw</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Grilled steak/w cowboy butter, baked potato, tossed salad</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Vegetable "crab" cakes, fries, hushpuppies, coleslaw</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">out to eat</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Have a great week staying on plan, going off plan, or with no plan at all!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>Anne in the kitchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-89101750175280298942024-03-01T10:53:00.000-08:002024-03-01T10:53:44.206-08:00Fuzzy Memories<div><span style="font-size: medium;">For anyone who has not read this blog before let me tell you what I am doing in 2024. I decided I would touch every single item in our house, organize every single thing we are keeping, donate or re-home things that need to go., recycle anything recyclable and hopefully have minimum to trash. I have been amazed at the number of items I either had no idea we had or had forgetten about completely.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CdqoNKCCt7A" width="320" youtube-src-id="CdqoNKCCt7A"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I am very fortunate that both The Exchange Club and Vapor ministries have trucks that will come to the door for donations, and I have curb recycling every week. Also our community has a twice a year event for hazardous waste disposal, paper shredding, and electronics disposal. I also am a member of our local Buy Nothing FB group and a neighborhood FB group. All of these make getting rid of things much easier.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I did a seriously bad job of cleaning/weeding rooms in February. Why? I really don't know. I had the time but I just did not use it well. March is going to be a little busy, but I am determined to clean/ organize/ donate at least 2 areas, if not the complete rooms. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b style="font-size: x-large;">Stuff I found during February clean out and where it was:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Changing Room</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;">USB charging port - Neither of us knew we had one. Keeping</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Mosquito zapper - Bought when we had the lake place, stored and forgotten. Keeping</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Wooden CD holder - held a bunch of Dad's CD's, </span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Upstairs Bedroom 1</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Outdoor lawn game - No idea we even had it</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">U of A door banner - Thought I got rid of it years ago</span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Upstairs Bedroom 3</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;">3 tops I did not remember ever buying, 2 still had tags. Keeping</span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>PowderRoom </b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Bronze soap dispenser</span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Coat Closet</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Black hoodie (mine bought and evidently forgotten) Keeping for now</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">3 games 1 was a gift, I remembered after seeing it. Absolutely no clue where the other 2 came from. Keeping for the moment</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Instruction packet for hosting a murder mystery- no clue where that even came from. </span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">35 mm slide viewer </span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Hammock </span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Given away</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Keurig - Buy Nothing FB group</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">7- 36" gold balloons (still in package) - Buy Nothing FB group</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Travel Master cup for air flights (never used) * - Son3 </span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Binoculars - Son3</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Frank Stitt's Southern Table cookbook - Son3</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">The French Laundry cookbook - Son3</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">U of A door banner - Son3</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Outdoor lawn game - Son3</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Vacuum cleaner with bags - Buy Nothing FB group</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Drawer organizers - Buy Nothing FB group</span><span> </span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">2 Exchange Club boxes ready for next pick up**</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Slide viewer - Buy Nothing FB group</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Murder Mystery game - Buy nothing FGB group</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Hammock - Son2</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">CD holder - Buy nothing FB group</span></li></ol></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">*This was a corporate Christmas gift. Does anyone actually need an insulated glass and 3 ounce flask for an inflight beverage. Evidently Son3 does.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">** Also started another exchange club box. This will technically not be picked up until March, but they were filled in February so I am counting them as a February giveaway.</span></div>Anne in the kitchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-38500136044863289842024-02-26T13:55:00.000-08:002024-02-26T14:01:08.365-08:00Another Week of Joys and Foods<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This week I really was off my decluttering game. In fact the only thing I even moderately decluttered was getting rid of some clothes I will never wear again. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I had a pair of pants I had packed and planned to wear out to eat while we were in Fairhope last week. Fortunately or unfortunately (I will leave this up to you, the reader) the hotel room had a full size mirror in the hallway of the room. You guessed it__I came, I saw, I changed into a pair of jeans, and as soon as we were home, put those atrocities in a Goodwill box. (Had to be the pants right? No way it could have been the person in them). Once I started a load I thought I might as well go through everything hanging and get rid of anything I did not think I would wear again. Damn mirror!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Zqe5NP86OCc" width="320" youtube-src-id="Zqe5NP86OCc"></iframe></div><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Monday:</b> I was glad to be back home, able to do a little laundry, get back in a routine, and read a bit__mainly glad to read!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner:</b> I had intended to make a cheeseburger salad, but when I talked with TheHub before he came home from work, he told me he had a big salad lunch. Back to the drawing board! This is exactly why I keep things in the freezer that can be thawed and cooked in a few minutes.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Hamburger patty, sautéed peppers, onions, and super thin potato slices</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Tuesday:</b> It was a drop dead gorgeous day, with lovely spring like weather. When I was out driving around I saw daffodils blooming and the shrubs are showing signs of that beautiful spring green. I love it. And a bonus for the day was the sale price on frozen tuna filets. The day felt like an all around win!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner:</b> I had planned on air frying some chicken, but decided I did not want to have that much clean up. Instead I changed plans a little.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Orange ginger glazed chicken, smashed potatoes, tossed salad</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Wednesday:</b> Another gorgeous day in the hood. I woke, got gussied up and went to my weekly class, came home and got everything in order to go to my happy place. My beloved sister has started going with me sometimes and I love having someone to talk and laugh with driving from here to there. It only takes about 30 minutes which is not a long time, but there is really nothing to see from the interstate between my house and the exit. It's much better to have a passenger!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This time the participants made nachos and as a bonus I had mini moon pies for them. I think they really liked it.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner:</b> We never celebrate Valentine's day on the actual day, and had made reservations for dinner on the 15th. We needed to reschedule because we had to leave town last Thursday afternoon. They had an availability for Wednesday at the time we wanted so we took it. It was the first time I have ever been to Automatic Seafood. What a treat!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Scallops for me, Grouper for TheHub, rolls, and creamed spinach</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Thursday: </b>It was beautiful once again. After all the rains we had this winter the gorgeous days are much more appreciated. Now the forsythia is blooming along with a few trees. The best thing is the days are warm enough to have the house open and aired out before the Big Pollen Dump. I fear it is coming early this year.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner: </b>I did not give a hoot what TheHub did or did not eat for lunch. We were having what I wanted!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Cheesburger salad</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Friday: </b>It rained in the wee hours of the morning then the sky was blue all day. Instead of doing any sorting I did minimal laundry, drank a lot of coffee and read.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">TheHub wanted to do something besides stay home, so I kind of dressed up (OK I showered, put on clean clothes and makeup) so I would be ready the minute he came home. It was still light, more like an early twilight. I am very lucky that when you walk out my front door you can see the moon. rising. Friday the sky was a blueish purple with a beautiful full moon. as if that was not enough I could see the glow of sunset through the trees. We hopped in the car to ride up to the bluff, We missed the actual sunset, but the afterglow in the sky was brilliant scarlet and tangerine. I told TheHub we had a bookend sky experience. <b>Dinner:</b> Once had finished looking at the amazing sky, we headed to our favorite "just beyond the neighborhood" place. While there imagine my surprise when I ran into one of my childhood friends. I do not remember a time when I did not know her. She has recently moved to my area of town so I could possibly see her more often.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Wedge salad or flatbread</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Saturday:</b> The day was a little cooler, but far from chilly. It was gorgeous while TheHub and I went out to do some errands along with a little exploring. Daffodils are blooming everywhere along with several tree varieties, and dandelions which I find a menace if they pop up in my own yard, are quite beautiful in other folk's yards.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">While running around/driving about we decided we were hungry. One of our resolutions for the year is to try new to us places to eat. We had been in a rut and seemed to go to the same 6 or 7 places over and over. Saturday we tried Donato's pizza and had not been there previously. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Neither of us are huge pizza fans and both chose something other than a red sauce based meal.. The Italian chef's salad was a perfect lunch for me, but TheHub's sandwich looked delicious also.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We got home in time to watch Kentucky skunk Alabama's basketball team. Oh well, then ended the night watching the current episode of "Masters of the Air"</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner: </b>While out, we ran by Snapper Grabber to pick up some fish for Sunday's dinner, and also bought 1/2 pound steamed shrimp. I am not a big shrimp fan but an easy dinner is an easy dinner.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Steamed shrimp, coleslaw</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Sunday:</b> We went to church, came home and watched a little bit of Alabama's softball game. TheHub had to run into the office, so I read while he was gone. Once he came back to the house we went out, rode around a little then ran a couple of errands before coming home. BTW I am stocked to the gills with groceries now!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner:</b> This meal was not even thought of when I planned my menu last week. I blame the impulsive visit to Snapper Grabber Saturday morning.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Grilled swordfish with yuzu sauce, broccoli, tossed salad.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>What might happen this week:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1. Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes, green beans, cucumber salad</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2. BBQ cheeseburger waffles, cauliflower side dish TBD</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">3. Chicken divan (ton of broccoli left over from Sunday's dinner to use)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">4. Hot and sour soup, spring rolls</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">5. Big salad meal TBD</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">6. Potential celebration meal at a restaurant</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7.Spaghetti w/ meat sauce, tossed salad</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hope you have a great week staying on plan, going off plan or with no plan at all.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Books read thus far in February*</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Lillian Boxfish takes a Walk</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The Nightingale</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Be sure to look for your joys this week. No matter how small they are always out there!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">May all your weeds be wildflowers.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Anne</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">* Seriously bad reading month</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Anne in the kitchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-79602497352122510702024-02-19T09:15:00.000-08:002024-02-19T09:15:00.942-08:00Joys and Sadness<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I knew from the start of the week, it would be filled differently than most weeks. Even before I realized we would be out of town for part of the week, I had made plans for a few days. Some plans happened and some had to be cancelled because life got in the way of them. Regardless, plans that were made and happened or changed, time and life goes on</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/huc7IL7b8S8" width="320" youtube-src-id="huc7IL7b8S8"></iframe></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Monday: </b>The day was dreary with downpours but I loved it because I was able to volunteer at my happy place. In homage to Mardi Gras, I wore a purple top with my jeans, lots of green purple and gold beads, and we made red beans and rice for the life skills lesson. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A couple of them liked making it more than eating it, declaring it was too spicy for them. Then some of the participants loved it. It was a little hotter than I intended but the person who was putting the seasonings in it got just a tad heavy handed and I could not get it out of the pot.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner: </b>TheHub had eaten some of his Chinese leftovers for lunch Sunday and was not keen to have it again. Fortunately I had a couple of containers with frozen leftovers.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Spaghetti with meat sauce (TheHub), leftover moo shu pork (me)</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Tuesday: </b>I woke and did a little around the house before leaving to meet a friend who was in my first grade class. We sat at The Cheesecake Factory for 3 1/2 hours eating lunch*and talking, and talking, and talking. I have not seen her in several years and forgot how much I enjoy her company. We left vowing to do it again, but much sooner this time.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner: </b>I arrived home in time to get our Mardi Gras meal going</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Jambalaya, coleslaw, king cake doughnuts**</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Wednesday: </b>The reason I do not likeTheHub to schedule any work for/ about the house is because he schedules times that would be convenient for him if he were actually here during the day. It was time for our termite bond to be renewed, which always a walk through the basement, and all the rooms of the house looking for signs of the little critters. It is also the year when a new treatment needed to be done around the perimeter of the house. I think it is every 5 years that it must be redone. So he of course scheduled it for between 8-9 am.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When I reminded him that I have a morning class every Wednesday, he said it would be no problem, that he would go into work later and I could get ready and go to class. The termite guy was here by 7:45 and TheHub was still here, and technically walked around for the main level inspection part, then left. Seems I was the one who was stuck here until the young man finished, so I could pay him. I was not terribly happy.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">SO instead of going to class, I hung out at the house, touching more things, and making decisions "do they stay or do they go?" I find if it is something that needs thought, more often than not I am choosing "go" as the option.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner:</b> It was Valentine's Day and we no longer go out to eat then. Rather than fight the crowds we stay home and have a jointly prepared meal.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Grilled steak, smashed potatoes, tossed salad, truffles</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Thursday: </b>TheHub had a scheduled offsite strategic planning meeting at Persell Farms (about an hour away). Because we were going to leave from his meeting and head straight to South Alabama for the family funeral, I went with him when he left for the meeting. I dropped him off and spent a few hours exploring the surrounding towns, before finding a small out of the way restaurant for a late lunch (It was almost 3 by then) The place was nearly empty, so I ate then spent about an hour reading and talking to the waitress. In rural Alabama if you do not talk to those who strike up a conversation with you, you are thought of as rude and uppity, and if you are eating at a restaurant named Lori Darlin's, you better not be uppity. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The place was less than 1/4 of a mile from the farm's entrance and I figured I could call for a take out meal we could pick up as we were leaving. That way TheHub could eat it in the car and we would only have to make one stop on the way to Fairhope. I knew after a very late lunch, dinner would be off the table for me anyway.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We left and took what were called county roads, though I called them cow paths, to get from the middle of nowhere to the interstate. Once there it was a pretty straight shot to our destination and we arrived about 9:30, in time to check in, rinse off and get ready for bed, since we were starting the next day with a morning celebration of life.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Dinner: Non existant</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Friday: </b>We woke after sleeping badly***, put on proper attire, and left for a morning visitation in Daphne, prior to the funeral. All of TheHub's generation's siblings and spouses were there along with a few nephews and our only niece, spouses and children. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The service itself was very uplifting and all 5 of the grandsons ****participated in the ceremony, which I thought was particularly lovely.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Afterward we all went to my Sister -in- Laws house for a post funeral meal. Prior to the actual meal a favorite adult beverage was passed out to everyone (of age, kids had Sprite) and my nephew made a lovely toast to M. I truly think that should be a tradition at every after funeral meal. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We stayed for a couple of hours, then went back to the hotel to change into comfortable clothes. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner: </b>My niece and nephew both asked us to come back to their mom's house so we could all go out to dinner. (They just wanted to get her out of the house into a neutral environment) So 17 of us met at a seafood restaurant near her house and had a meal, shared memories and laughed. What is a better way to remember someone?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Whatever seafood anyone wanted</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Saturday: </b>We had planned on getting up and heading back to town, but our SIL asked us to come back to her house to eat. Her friends had been so generous and had covered her with food. (After putting away the leftovers for freezing after we all ate, she is not going to need to cook for a month)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We went and had a very good visit with her, her kids , their families, and TheHub's sister. We left much later than we intended, but sometimes you have to forget about any plans and just do what you really needed to do all along. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner:</b> We got home later than we thought we would and had no dinner plans, and were not really hungry</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Progresso soup</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Sunday: </b>I was back home and my bed which is in the correct geographic orientation for my sleep was calling me. I slept much later than normal. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We decided to skip church because we would have needed to really rush to make it there on time. Instead we ate a leisurely breakfast and talked.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After we ate, we both did a few chores then watched Alabama's softball team play before changing the channel to watch Alabama's women's basketball beat Auburn. (It was a surprise win because Auburn was leading until the last couple of minutes, but it is always good to beat the in-state rival)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner:</b> I pulled a couple of things out of the freezer to create a much less than stellar meal.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Chicken with gravy over smashed potatoes, green beans</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Potential meals for this week:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1. "Fried"chicken, potato salad, steamed broccoli</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2. Spaghetti with meat sauce, tossed salad, rolls</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">3. Cheesburger salad</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">4. Crack chicken, spinach salad</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">5. Mexican Pizza, coleslaw</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">6. Out to eat</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7. Soup meal TBD</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Have a good week staying on plan, going off plan or with no plan at all.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Be sure to look for your joys this week. They are out there no matter how small they may be.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">May all your weeds be wildflowers.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Anne</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">*We arrived after the lunch crowd then left right before the dinner crowd was arriving. We also cleared our bill so out waitperson could close out her lunch ticket. If I am going to be somewhere for a prolonged period, I am at the very least going to be respectful of their time.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">** Used just a basic cake doughnut recipe, added cinnamon, a light vanilla glaze, and should have used purple, green, and yellow sprinkles, but I only had green and did not want to make yellow and purple, so we ate unsprinkled doughnuts. Though not festive looking they were still pretty tasty.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">*** If I am not sleeping with my head to the east and my feet facing west I do not sleep well. I never pay any attention to it until the next morning after fighting with the bed all night. Yes I know it is quirky but it is what it is.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">****The grandkids, all guys, are absolutely darling boys. I enjoyed being with them and talking to each one of them. We need to see them more often, and since we have only 2 adults at our house it makes sense that we should be the ones who travel to visit them.</div>Anne in the kitchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-22754620745253809272024-02-12T12:26:00.000-08:002024-02-13T09:21:26.698-08:00A Week in a Minor Key<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The past week was not a fun filled week, though there were small joys as always. This week is going to have some ups and downs for us, but I am not going to make it better by staying in the house working. I think I need to be out in the world among people a little more.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5VZX2MZn2iQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="5VZX2MZn2iQ"></iframe></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Monday:</b> This was just a regular day and I did not try to clean out anything. In fact I did very little other than normal household chores, laundry (and yes there is a joy when you get into bed on freshly washed sheets), cooking, and some reading.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner:</b> TheHub had a meeting downtown and came home as soon as it was over, rather than go back to work. He wanted to eat early. No problem, but I would have preferred a heads up. Since I had not started cooking (or even thought about what I was going to make for dinner) I opted for a quick meal. This is why I always have browned and seasoned ground chuck in the freezer.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Taco salad</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Tuesday: </b>I began serious decluttering in the changing room, bath, and hallway. I found more things I had forgotten about, but only one item neither of us remembered getting (buying?).</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner:</b> TheHub did not really want what I planned on making and suggested he pick up something on his way home from the office. I am not stupid enough to disagree when someone volunteers to stop at Fried Green Tomatoes .</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Veggie plate (TheHub), pork chop, collards, (me)</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Wednesday:</b> I woke to an extremely early phone call. Those almost always mean sad/bad news and this was no exception. I was supposed to go to class that morning but did not want to be around anyone for a while. Instead I got a lot of Mom's personal business papers together (kept them for a few years just in case) and took them to be shredded. My Beloved Sister went with me, then we stopped at a couple of places on the way home. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner:</b> It was the perfect night for soup, so that is what we had.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Creamy ham soup, stuffed mushrooms</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Thursday:</b> I did more cleaning until it was time to get ready for a show we were going to see. We met our friends at The Alys to hear Steep Canyon Rangers. It was great, and makes me angry that we did not take advantage of more recent events there. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner: </b>We did not have time to eat beforehand so we stopped at The Purple Onion on our way home to grab a bite to eat.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Cheeseburger (TheHub) Gyro salad (me)</b> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Friday: </b>It was a stay at home day for me, in fact I only ventured outdoors a couple of times. Instead I did more touching, sorting, and increasing my donation pile. I did find a couple of things taking up space in my closet that I do remember getting, but out of sight, out of mind. They are now gone thanks to the buy nothing FB site.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I had a very short call with Sluggy which was interrupted by an unexpected, but not unwelcomed visitor.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner:</b> We normally go out on Friday nights, but since we had been out Thursday we decided to stay home and watch a movie. Neither of us were hungry and just had warmed overs.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Soup</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Saturday: </b>We ran our usual morning rounds, getting back just in time to watch Alabama basketball followed by an Alabama softball game. I was not feeling well, but I didn't feel horrible. I was freezing even though the weather was not cold at all. I should have listened to my body but I did not.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner:</b> It was Chinese New Year and every year we do Chinese take out, as we did Saturday night. The dinner was delicious and we ate at the kitchen table which was all gussied up with Year of the Dragon decor. I was feeling pretty rotten by the time we got the food, but ate anyway. Mistake! I obviously had picked up a virus somewhere.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Lemon chicken (TheHub) moo shu pork (me)</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><b>Sunday:</b> I finally got to bed at about 4:30 Sunday morning after a difficult night. I woke about 9:30 and was not feeling great and still freezing. I dressed in the softest clothes I own and spent the day mostly on the couch, covered in blankets, sipping ginger lemon tea.</span><span> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I know we watched (OK TheHub watched while I sometimes watched between snoozing) Alabama women's basketball, and I really did not start feeling human until early evening. when the Super Bowl came on.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner: </b>TheHub was on his own for dinner because I was not about to eat a meal of any sorts.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>TV dinner (TheHub) a few crackers (me)</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>What's possible for this week:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We are going to be out of town for a family funeral and will not be home at least 2 nights, possibly 3. I am planning our meals assuming we will be gone three nights, I can always throw something together, or we can do takeout if need be. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1. Leftover Chinese</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2. Jambayla, coleslaw, king cake - Mardi Gras</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">3. Grilled steaks, broccoli, potatoes, tossed salad, chocolate cake - Valentines</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">4. Soup or salad meal</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Enjoy your meals staying on plan, going off plan, or with no plan at all.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Books read in February</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Lillian Boxfish Takes a walk</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Have a great week and look for your joys. They are always out there no matter how small.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">May all your weeds be wildflowers.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Anne</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Anne in the kitchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-80897858754244856002024-02-07T13:45:00.000-08:002024-02-07T13:45:53.166-08:00Variation on a Theme of Tom Kha Gai<div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: medium;">I love soup, but TheHub is very finicky about when he will eat it, so I am making it often while the weather is cooler. And what could possibly be better on a cold night than hot spicy soup. Unfortunately not as spicy as I would like, because TheHub does not have an asbestos mouth like I have.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I found a couple of recipes but I am not a big follower of recipes, so this is just my take on the soup. I also am not a measurer so all measurements were eyeballed, but I am pretty good at eyeballing.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I will also say all the recipes I read called for galangal which I not only did not have on hand, but I have never had any. Nor do I have a clue what flavor it adds, so I left it out and used turmeric instead. Sue me!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I did not have kaffir lime leaves either, so lime zest and juice were my substitutes.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I confess, I also have squeeze tubes of many different herbs and spice pastes in the freezer and use them often because it saves time. Knowing this, you might call this Cheaters Soup. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XwW-Zse4TJI" width="320" youtube-src-id="XwW-Zse4TJI"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Almost Tom Kha Gai</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNQHbdYXYl8q19yxVqomtVmAVuoriLGXwwv3imOQSbFi8SKPZ4wrfM_BkyIaMD5vxrkwG8-C8U2H_mfNrySlzsbFq0MA22M8mRg6-1431ih_LZjrrlk1VSWKXpUPQzBuLbjK60tCV6OYLIef1_V7cid9Yd5k2R_y3vdWZkFPG7h_9wSHTD2AJBPeS60IS/s4032/71B8D882-8205-4F9C-9A71-387BCF71EAD9.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNQHbdYXYl8q19yxVqomtVmAVuoriLGXwwv3imOQSbFi8SKPZ4wrfM_BkyIaMD5vxrkwG8-C8U2H_mfNrySlzsbFq0MA22M8mRg6-1431ih_LZjrrlk1VSWKXpUPQzBuLbjK60tCV6OYLIef1_V7cid9Yd5k2R_y3vdWZkFPG7h_9wSHTD2AJBPeS60IS/w300-h400/71B8D882-8205-4F9C-9A71-387BCF71EAD9.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1 tablespoon olive oil</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1 small onion, chopped</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Put the oil in the bottom of a stock pot</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Saute the onion in the oil until it is almost translucent</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2 large cloves garlic, minced</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1 1/2 cartons mushrooms cleaned and sliced</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Add the garlic and mushrooms to the pot and stir until they are wilted but not browned</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">32 ounces chicken broth/stock (your choice)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Add to the vegetables quickly to stop the browning process.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Stir well</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Add the remaining ingredients</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1 can full fat coconut milk</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1 boneless skinless chicken breast thinly sliced*</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1 tablespoon ginger <a href="https://www.gourmetgarden.com/en-us/products/paste/ginger">paste</a>** (equals about and inch of fresh ginger, peeled and minced)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1/2 tablespoon lemon grass paste (about 2 or 3 fresh stalks thinly sliced)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2 tablespoons brown sugar substitute (the recipes all called for coconut sugar or brown sugar)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2 teaspoons hot red chili paste ( 1 minced jalapeño instead) </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1 teaspoon turmeric paste (not sure this added anything but color)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">zest of one small lime</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">3 tablespoons fresh lime juice</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2 tablespoons fish sauce (I will decrease this a bit next time)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2 heaping tablespoons red curry <a href="https://www.mccormick.com/thai-kitchen/products/sauces-and-pastes/red-curry-paste">paste</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Bring to a simmer and gently cook until the chicken is done. ( about 20 minutes) Serve this deliciousness piping hot, but if you use fresh lemongrass make sure you don't eat it.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This was so good, and before we were through eating there was only about a cup full of soup left for me to have for lunch. Just typing this makes me want more. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It is an easy, quick and delicious soup meal.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">* I used 2 chicken tenders that were frozen. I let them thaw about 10 minutes and was able to slice the still icy tenders very thin.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">** The links are not to affiliate products. They are just what I use</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Anne in the kitchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-51758622335289090972024-02-05T09:02:00.000-08:002024-02-05T09:02:41.309-08:00Joy and Vittles<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Last week came first as January, then left as February. I guess this year is going to fly by just like the last year did. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I continue with the sorting, placing things in a completely logical spot, and giving away anything that is not needed.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Those days are not particularly fun, but I have found a couple of podcasts or brainless movies to listen to as I work. And in spite of doing an excess of chores, joys still occur.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I am finding things I did not remember ever having and am keeping a list for the end of the month. I am certain I will find more items. I am not even through with the main floor, and have not touched the rooms upstairs or downstairs. Ugh! Back to the mines for me this week.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sB6fULs0GcA" width="320" youtube-src-id="sB6fULs0GcA"></iframe></div><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Monday:</b> Spent another day in the laundry room sorting through more and more things. Not fun, but it has to be done.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>I did have another small chore to take care of last week. I try to decorate the dining room table seasonally.</span><span> (That does not mean crap does not get tossed on said table all the time. It seems to be the dropping off point every time we come in the house.)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Chinese New Year, Mardi Gras and Valentines are all in a 4 day period this year and I was in a quandary about how to manage all of the decorations in such a short time. Following the path of least resistance, I decided to do the dining room as the Valentine's room and just jazz up the kitchen table for the other two. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I got Chinese New Year done, made tassels and hung Chinese lanterns. It is the year of the dragon so I cut out a cool looking one from red card stock. I did not realize when I was drawing it that there were so many small cuts. It took much longer than I thought it would. But it was done and on display.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Dinner: Chicken Divan</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Tuesday:</b> I was back in the laundry room, and I managed to almost finish. Then I remembered one cabinet in the dining room sideboard that I forgot to clean. So of course I left the laundry room to go clean it. Good thing because I found some more things for a final sayonara . </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">While I was in the dining room I decided to go ahead and decorate for Valentine's Day. And since enough is never enough I also decorated the foyer. Sneaky Jorge (my monkey butler) seemed happy to have hearts on his serving tray. I think he really wanted a bowl of foil wrapped chocolates there too, but he understands my chocolate weakness.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner: </b>I was lucky to have most of dinner frozen so there was very little prep for the night.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Spaghetti with meat sauce, tossed salad</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Wednesday. </b>I went to my Wednesday morning class, and afterward went shopping. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I like to keep greeting cards on hand for any occasion and my supply was low. I restocked them, picked up a couple of other items I had on my "needs' list before heading out to the grocery store. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Once I got home and put the groceries away, I needed to do some everyday cleaning. I noticed my vacuum was not working properly and thought I might need to clean the filters. I was right! It took forever to get the water to run clear. I must have been about a year overdue cleaning them. Now it is on my calendar to rinse them out in three months. How dull is your life if a calendar entry is about vacuum filter cleaning? </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner: </b>Alabama mens basketball team was playing Georgia and we planned to watch it, so a game meal was in order.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Thursday: </b>I woke, had coffee, then it was back to the grind.<b> </b>I was still touching, sorting, and all that other stuff that comes with seriously deep cleaning. It is not fun and is rather tedious, but I got a call from Sluggy. Laughing and cleaning is a lot easier than just cleaning. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner:</b> I did not know Alabama women's basketball team was going to be televised and had planned a traditional dinner. TheHub really needs to let me know he has tv plans in advance if he wants a game night meal!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Ground chuck patty smothered in peppers and onions, brussels sprouts</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Friday: </b>Part of the morning was spent getting ready for DIL3 and Son3 who were coming for the night to go to an event with us. Meanwhile DIL2 and Son2 were on our side of town so they stopped by with their lunch, and while they ate, we visited. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Once the 3's were here we sat and talked a bit before we all got ready for a fundraiser benefiting the American Baseball Foundation. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The organization is a summer program for underserved kids that incorporates baseball and team building along with math and reading skills. They have charted the increase in test scores for those who have participated in the program and after just one summer both math and reading levels increased substantially.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We all met Son2 and DIL2 at The Club for dinner and the program featuring Brian Jordan, a former major league baseball/NFL player. Even though I had no clue who he was, he was a wonderful speaker and seems to be extremely generous in his philanthropy. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He has written motivational books aimed at elementary school age children, and had a silent auction for the books with the stipulation that he personally would go to a school of choice and read them to the student body. There were 2 tables bidding and the bids got quite high. He finally suggested if each would pay the winning bid amount he would go to both of their schools and read to each one. Sold!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> It is probably a good thing he lives in Atlanta, because it is only a two hour drive from Birmingham so it is doable.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner:</b> We were at the fundraiser so it was basic banquet fare</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Chicken, side salad, broccoli, potatoes, dinner rolls, their signature orange rolls, and cheesecake</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Saturday:</b> We woke, had a leisurely coffee and breakfast with Son3 and DIL3 before they left to get back to Nashville. After doing a few house chores we got ready for our planned outing. We drove to Persell Farms for a meal, a show and an overnight stay in the inn. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Let me fill you in on the back story. TheHub saw this offering online and asked me if I would like to go. I said yes but it sounded like a waste of a Saturday. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My intention was to go, then on the way home Sunday morning I could either ride smugly, knowing I was right or I could say "I told you so" all the way home.* </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We were driving through serious Alabama back country, passing such things as Clear Waters Cowboy Church, and a worm farm when we turned left off a two lane road to nowhere into a true oasis. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The grounds including a golf course and clay shooting range, were gorgeous. The farm had several houses (no way you could ever call these cabins), the inn, a separate spa, entertainment venue, an Orvis store, outdoor game installations, pool. This thing was not a farm . . . it was a full scale resort.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The inn, which I imagined would be very rustic was anything but. Our room (not a suite) was beautifully appointed with a 4 poster bed, brocade chairs, a couch, small table for in room dining, desk (with brocade upholstered desk chair) a hall tree and a bench in addition to a beautiful dresser. TO say I was shocked would be an understatement.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Once we checked in we explored the common areas. Every little bit of space served some purpose. The stair landings all had small game or conversation areas. At the end of each hallway to rooms were a couple of couches to mix and mingle with other guests. There were three restaurants and a bar, a few scattered fireplaces, art and framed historical photos were everywhere. We even saw one stone carving from the 15th century.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When we finished browsing and after TheHub had a short nap it was time to go to the venue for dinner and a show ,"Tied Up in Knotts", a one woman show featuring Karen Knotts (Barney Fife's daughter)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner: </b> The dinner tables were for seatings of ten, and we met and dined with 4 new to us couples. I am not particularly shy and enjoyed talking with them and discovering their stories. As it turned out the woman sitting next to me was covering the event for a weekly newspaper and once we began talking it turned out we had seen her perform a some fundraisers we go to yearly.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The meal itself was buffet style, reminiscent of something Aunt Bea from Mayberry would serve for dinner.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Chicken, fried catfish, mac and cheese, collards, pinto beans, fried green tomatoes, hushpuppies, cornbread and a pound cake trifle.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Sunday: </b>We drove home from the farm after we woke and were dressed for the day. We planned to stop for breakfast on the way home but it was raining so we just went through a drive through. It suited me fine since all I ever have for breakfast is coffee.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We got back to the house just as the rain slacked off, opened the front door, then the bottom fell out. Perfect timing!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We both did our own thing during the rest of the day, but I did not do any deep cleaning.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner:</b> TheHub went to get a massage even though it was wet and cold. I stayed home and made soup.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Tom Kha Gai**</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Possibilities for meals this week:</b><span> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I am meeting a friend for dinner and TheHub and I will do take out one night</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1. Baked Greek chicken, roasted cauliflower, green beans, tossed salad</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2. Steak, asparagus, tossed salad, baked potato</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">3. Soup TBD later in the week</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">4. Taco salad</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">5. Either a takeout Chinese meal, or Chinese hot pot</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">6. Grilled tuna steaks, fries, tossed salad, broccoli</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7 Out to eat</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Have a great week staying on plan, going off plan or with non plan at all.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Books read the first week of February:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">None - I was busy cleaning and clearing crap</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And remember to look for your joys. They are always out there even if they are small ones.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">May all your weeds be wildflowers.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Anne</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>* </b>Damn! Now it is TheHub who can say "Told you so"</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">** How to's and thoughts coming later this week</span></div>Anne in the kitchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-60886830995164909482024-02-01T08:01:00.000-08:002024-02-01T08:03:09.181-08:00Found Things<div style="text-align: left;"><b></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I had mentioned in a previous post that I have been sorting, organizing and touching. This post is nothing but a recap of things I had no memory of ever receiving or things I bought, put away them promptly forgot about. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Things I found that were unknown or forgotten</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Kitchen baking center: </span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Red Candy Melts (Given away)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">White Candy Melts (Given away)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Whole flax seed (Will use)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Trader Joe's Nuts and Olives (TheHub and I ate them all week)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Kitchen small appliance cabinet:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Flat kabob skewers (moved to the outdoor bbq cabinet)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Vegetable pan for the grill (moved to the outdoor bbq cabinet)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Kitchen buffet: </b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Solar water bubbler (will use in the birdbath after the spring clean-up)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Laundry room:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">3 sheets of chalkboard self stick tags (These were actually on my "to buy" list. Score!)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mom's small decorative wooden catch-all box (Had no idea it was here. Now it is in use.)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">6 skeins baby yarn (given away)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">3 piece hiking pack including extra water bottle (given awy)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2 clear shopping bags (given away)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Bag of excelsior (kept for now)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">MIL's handwritten cookbook* (thrilled to have found this)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A watercolor my dad painted when I was a child (framing it) **</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Really cool placemat from a bar found in 1 of MIL's binders (framing it) ***</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dining room sideboard:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">8 off white, round candles, never burned (given away)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Trifle bowl ( I had no idea I even had this. Guess I need to make a trifle)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2 rice paper table table lamps (undecided whether to keep or toss) ****</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2 bisque dove candleholders (given away)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/t7oL2sp7muU" width="320" youtube-src-id="t7oL2sp7muU"></iframe></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Given away in January</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2 full size commercial baking pans - Buy Nothing FB group</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">3 springform pans - Exchange Club</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">candy melts - neighborhood FB group</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">George Forman Grill - Exchange Club</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">panini press (never used) - Independence Place</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">12 plates - Independence Place</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">set of extraordinarily cool spoons (never used) - Buy nothing FB group</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">set of retro cloth cowgirl napkins (never used) - Buy nothing FB group</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>1 oblong fall ta</span><span>blecloth (never used) - Buy nothing FB group</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">packing material from a delivery (who knew? )- Buy Nothing FB group<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">University of Alabama door wreath - Buy nothing FB group</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2 silverplate casserole dish holders - Exchange Club</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">6 skeins yarn -Buy nothing FB group</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Tervis koozie (never used) - neighborhood FB group</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2 moving boxes of miscellaneous stuff including clothes - Exchange Club</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Christmas circular table cloth - Exchange Club</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Christmas table runner - Exchange Club</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">3 piece hiking pack Exchange Club</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sturdy 10x10x4 black gift box with black shreds - Buy nothing FB group</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">8 round candles Neighborhood FB group</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2 bisque dove candleholders - Exchange Club</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So now that February has begun and I move on to different areas of the house, the "touch keep or toss"game begins a new chapter and I will start a new list. I am beginning to think I made a terrible mistake vowing to do this. Maybe I should have made it a two year plan!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>*MIL's family famous lasagne recipe was in the book!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>** Overjoyed to find this treasure, which has no value to anyone but family.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>***This placemat has drawings of the speciality drinks the bar offered. Will hang in the butlers pantry.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>**** Decided at the last minute to toss the lamps in the Exchange Club box.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div>Anne in the kitchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-80731002403992780812024-01-29T09:25:00.000-08:002024-01-30T00:44:37.760-08:00Cleaning and Eating<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The fourth week of January saw me as a true domestic. As I mentioned in a previous post, I plan on physically touching every single item in this house and either putting them somewhere that makes logical sense, giving them away, recycling, or trashing said item (only if it is totally useless, like a bottle of dried India ink I found in my art supply stash). </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Unfortunately this takes a lot of time and requires me to be in the blooming house instead of going other places and having fun. My joys for the week mostly reflect things in/from being at home.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This past week I mostly dedicated to the laundry room, which has become a catch all for everything no one knows where to put. The only way I can face it is to do it sections at a time. I have said before the room is very large with various areas used for either storage or different activities. I have completed about 3/4 of the room and found things I did not even remember I had.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I also think I will start a separate weekly post listing what I found lurking in cabinets, closets, cubbyholes, and any other random place that I either did not know I had or that I decided was just taking up real estate and I was never going to use again, and what I did with them. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There are a couple of exclusions to things I will likely never use, but they are strictly sentimental items (a few) and I can't say goodbye to them yet because they bring back happy memories of the people they once belonged to.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So instead of having a rocking good week, I became little more than a house servant, and I feel that title will be mine this week too.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TPVk-m1Pr4s" width="320" youtube-src-id="TPVk-m1Pr4s"></iframe></div><br /><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Monday: </b>Lots of cleaning in the kitchen and laundry room.*</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner: </b>The biggest joy of the day was the fact that I had spent a good deal of the very cold week doing a lot of food prep. After a day stuck in the laundry room and kitchen cabinets, dinner was just a heat and eat meal.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Chili, coleslaw</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Tuesday: </b>I spent most of the day in the laundry room, both doing laundry and sorting through a gozillion things that have been stashed in there waiting for someone to start organizing them (It seems like the only person who lives here and sees the need for getting things in order is me) </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Dinner: Meatloaf Mashed Potatoes, Collards</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Wednesday: </b>I was still in the laundry room. This time most of the cleaning/sorting was done in a large metal cabinet and the bookshelves. When I say I am touching everything I mean literally touching every single thing, which means all notebooks and binders, looking through every page to see what is a keeper and what is a tosser. There were a couple of joys Wednesday. First Sluggy called, and I talked to her while going through the cabinet. Laughing helps the workload. The second joy was finding things I had forgotten I had. (like the chalkboard stickers that were actually on my shopping list because I needed some or a notebook full of short stories I had written years ago)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Another thing I realized while talking with Sluggy is that I have enough note cards to write a note to every single person I have ever spoken to in my life. OK that might be a slight exaggeration, but I will never have to buy another box of cards again. Some of them went into the Exchange Club pickup box, but most of them are personalized and will be going nowhere until I use them. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner:</b> TheHub called right before he was to go to a dinner meeting for work to let me know it was cancelled. Like that would make any difference to my dinner plans, which would be to scrounge the fridge for whatever was leftover. He opted to be a part of the scrounge plan and luckily there was enough for 2.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Leftover turkey vegetable soup</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Thursday:</b> Finally I had a day out of the house with My Beloved Sister when went to Independence Place. Volunteering there always makes my day better, and they seemed to enjoy making and eating individual pizzas. I had a couple of errand to run then settled into the remaining day reading.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner: </b>When I am gone most of the day, dinner is always something simple.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Conecuh sausage, sautéed cabbage</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Friday: </b>What can I say? The day was gloomy, I stayed at home, and cleaned until it was time to get ready for the evening.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner: </b>We planned on going out to eat and wound up at Mikey's, which is a wonderful restaurant with fabulous food and casual dress. It fit all three of my qualifications for the night!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Grouper Oscar, asparagus, salad (me) macadamia crusted snapper, salad (TheHub)</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Saturday: </b>We had a break from the rain, but there was still a slight drizzle with rare sun breaks. THeHub had some work he had to do for a non-profit he is involved with, so I did a little more sorting in the laundry room while actually doing laundry. We were both home all day (well TheHub did have to make one recreational shopping trip) and ended the night watching the Alabama/LSU basketball game.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner: </b>The break in the rain and warmer temperatures was a great night to fire up the grill.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Steak, potatoes (TheHub) , asparagus, sautéed mushrooms, tossed salad</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Sunday: </b>We woke to cooler (colder) temperatures WTH! I have only one dress that is truly warm and told the folks in my Sunday School class if it continued to be cold they would see me in that every week. After church we hurried home, ate a quick bite, and changed clothes before going to see a play. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We have had tickets to our Broadway touring season for years and have kept the same seats. The good thing is that they are excellent seats. The bad thing is that they are right under a vent which blows cool (cold) air on us. Normally I do not like to be bothered with a coat , but the day was raw, cold and windy, I decided to take a wool shawl anyway. I was so thankful I did because I could tuck it over my shoulders and wrap up in it while the cold air was blowing on me.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If any of you have an opportunity to see an Equity tour of Aladin, I cannot recommend it enough. It was a feast for the eyes and ears. I was not really happy it was on the schedule for this year, and went in it expecting something much less. I was wrong because it was spectacular. If you get a chance, do yourself a favor and go!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner: </b>After the play we met DIL2 and Son2 for dinner at The Pita Stop. We love seeing them any time, but especially after going to the theater. They also have tickets for the same day and time as ours, so we can compare notes while eating. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Chef's salad, sauteed mushrooms and whatever they ate</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Possible meals for this week:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1. Chicken divan, coleslaw</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2. Spaghetti with meat sauce, tossed salad</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">3. Tom kha gai soup </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">4. Grilled cheese sandwiches, tomato soup</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">5. Big salad meal</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">6. Out to eat (We have events this weekend with meals included)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7. Out to eat</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Update- <b>Books read in January</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Demon Copperhead</span></i></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Paper Names</span></i></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Symphony of Secrets </span></i></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Mardi Gras Murder </i>(Because it's Mardi Gras time)</span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>5 O'Clock Band </i>(Ditto)</span></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So that is a wrap for the joys and foods this week. Eat well and look for your joys. They are always out there no matter how small.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">May all your weeds be wildflowers.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Anne</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>* </b>Once TheHub comes home, I call it a day with whatever project I am working on and we spend the evening together, talking or watching something.</span></div>Anne in the kitchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-19021439753845048152024-01-22T07:48:00.000-08:002024-01-22T07:48:08.992-08:00Chilly Joys<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This third week of the year was a very unusual week. What started as quite normal for our January devolved quickly as frigid air launched an attack on hot blooded Southerners. They told us it was coming and though we prepared for it, still did not mean I liked it at all.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zRv5GOy4AbI" width="320" youtube-src-id="zRv5GOy4AbI"></iframe></div><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Monday: </b>I was able to go to my happy place this morning, but instead of cooking we simply had a tea party and conversations. Before Christmas I bought 3 kringles at Trader Joe's, then got another one as a Christmas gift. We had planned on having our neighbors over during the holidays for coffee and goodies, but for one reason or another it did not work out</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The pastries would be fine in the freezer, until we ate them but neither TheHub nor I are eating sugar right now. Every year, we use January to clean our systems of the sugar overindulgence we had in December. Instead of leaving all of them in the freezer, I took two of them with me to The Independence Place and they were very much appreciated. Some of the participants really did like the hot tea and some of them hated it. I kept telling them they did not have to drink tea to indulge in kringle.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Maybe in February we will share the remaining goodies with neighbors or friends.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After a stop on the way home to grab a sale price on ground chuck, I found a huge package Fedex left on the porch. It took me a few minutes to figure out how to get it into the house. It weighed about 45 pounds but the weight was not what threw me. The box was very bulky and I could not get my arms around it to lift it. I decided to just set it on one end and "walk" it into the foyer.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Once it was inside, the assembly was fairly quick and now, thanks to Wayfair, I have a new end table in the den. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">(aside here) Have any of you noticed the new trend in upholstered furniture where the body and back are a solid color and the bottom seat cushions are a print? I would never buy anything so trendy, but I am seriously thinking of making slip covers for the couch cushions. I might like it or I might not, but would only be out the cost of fabric if I didn't. The only downside is it means getting the laundry room in order so I can use my sewing machine, ___<span></span><span></span>maybe not!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner: </b>I had just purchased several pounds of ground chuck and planned on making a meatloaf according to my meal plan. That did not happen</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Hamburger patty, grilled asparagus, coleslaw</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Tuesday: </b>We did not get all of the expected ice and just had some early morning snow flurries, but we did get the forecasted cold. I had the option of going out or staying in, so I chose staying in because I am not stupid. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After several cups of coffee, I started back with my year plan of putting my hands on every single thing in this house and making critical decisions on what stays and what goes, while reorganizing everything. I figured a strategy of an hour a day x 365 days should get it done, knowing some days I will do nothing and some days I will spend nearly the entire day at it. Tuesday I got 2 sections of the laundry room done (Have I ever mentioned I might have the world's biggest laundry room? OK not really, but it is a very large room.)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The only joy about doing it is that it is done and I can move to the next section.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I was very thankful Sluggy called so I could kinda guilt free just enjoy a conversation and laughs!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I did put a new vacuum cleaner together. (It had been sitting in it's Amazon delivery box in the foyer for a few days. (Why? No idea!) It is going to become the upstairs vacuum but I tried it on the main level floors first. For a very inexpensive vacuum cleaner it does a fantastic job on carpets, and will work well on the upstairs bedroom floors.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner:</b> I had done a lot of soup making the prior weekend, so our dinner was mainly heat and serve.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Turkey vegetable soup, cheese toast</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Wednesday: </b>It was very cold when I woke so it was pretty easy to stay in bed and read for a while. Once I got up and went into the kitchen for coffee I made a quick decision, because I had to be nowhere, I was not going outside at all. I have Southern blood after all. Instead of doing anything productive I decided to have a spa day with lotions. potions, masks, and manicures. I will freely admit I enjoyed pampering myself.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And what good is a spa day unless you dive into a good book afterwards!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner: </b>TheHub wanted something different from what I wanted, so I was able to use the contents my new Aldi silicon freezer containers to make his meal.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Spaghetti with meat sauce (TheHub), tossed salad (both of us) pickled okra (me)</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Thursday:</b> The day had warmed up enough that I could have gone out and about, but I had nowhere I wanted to go. Instead I stayed at home, worked in the laundry room, talked to Sluggy, read, watched Ghost UK and read some more. Other than chores, a load of laundry, and cleaning another section of the laundry room, I did nothing majorly productive.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OiJJSY5uBvQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="OiJJSY5uBvQ"></iframe></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner:</b> TheHub called me while he was eating lunch. He was craving a veggie plate meal and his former go-to meat and three recently closed. Instead he went Cracker Barrel for his meal. While there he found if you purchase a meal you can get a small to-go meal for $5. He asked if I was interested . A $5 meal that will feed both of us? You bet I was.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Meatloaf, collard greens, mac and cheese, (TheHub) 2 biscuits (TheHub)</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Friday: </b>More work in the stupid laundry room which has become a catch-all. The good thing is that by touching everything in there, it will either be moved to its appropriate place, given away, or trashed. The joy is not about getting the room in shape but in making decisions about "stuff" and following through. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Dinner: TheHub wanted to go out for dinner. Who am I to object? Luckily we went before the temps started seriously dropping.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Pulled pork, collards, coleslaw (me) deviled eggs (gag), stuffed baked potato (TheHub)</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Saturday: </b>As usual we got up had coffee or tea before we did errands and some exploring. The day was cold, below freezing and windy all day, but the sky was gorgeous! I prefer a little warmer day for hopping in and out of the car, but___</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After a couple of quick stops we made a destination trip to a speciality store. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One of my Christmas presents from TheHub has not happened yet because I have to be with him when he actually gets it. You might be thinking what a wonderful guy for taking her to pick out the jewelry she wants, but you would be so wrong. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For years I have wanted a stand up bass, and I am talking about 30 years of wanting. Now I have to decide if I will have a used one rebuilt or opt for a new model (or forget about it entirely and just keep on with the wanting). It is pricy, but at the end of the day when I can no longer enjoy it, I have 3 sons who will all be vying for it, so it would continue to be enjoyed. In fact Son2 has already suggested it might be a good idea to keep it at his house instead of mine! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Little shops like we went to are a dying breed. The owner has owned his for over 30 years and you never hear of anyone now days who wants a career in refurbishing and rebuilding instruments. I wonder if this is the last generation of people who will choose these types of professions.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We got back in the car to talk it over, it was cold and we had not eaten so we tried a little restaurant that shares space with our favorite fish monger . (The word restaurant is actually too big for the place, but some delicious food is served in that small space)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We continued with our errands, discovered all I need for my phone is a new battery, and picked up a couple of things at the grocery store, then headed home to get and stay warm.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner:</b> It was about 18 degrees when we were about to eat and I was very thankful for the meal preps I had in the fridge.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Broccoli/cheese soup, biscuits</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Sunday: </b>We woke to a 13 degree morning in plenty of time to make it to Sunday School and church, but all I had to do was poke my nose out of the door and I wimped out. I know some of you deal with cold for protracted amounts of time. It is not how our winters go and I have no cold weather "Sunday" clothes . Instead we streamed our church service from the warmth of our house.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Neither of us left the house, except to run the garbage outside to the garbage can (which sits about 4 feet from the basement door) and make sure the pool pump was running.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">TheHub did some business from his home office, and I cleaned out the baking center. Like every other thing I organize, I find things that had been pushed back in the recesses and forgotten about. A huge score was finding several boxes of various herbal teas. I drink way too much coffee and these will be a great substitute for the afternoon and late night cup. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I also found some unopened red and white candy melts I bought to decorate Christmas cookies I never made. I put them on our neighborhood Facebook page and had a taker in about 10 minutes. I like that much better than just tossing them.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner:</b> After we finished our Saturday lunch at the place adjoining the fish shop, we naturally brought something home with us.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Broiled tilefish, mashed potatoes, tossed salad</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Meals for weird weather changes. The highs are supposed to hit 70 later this week???</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1. Chili, cold slaw, cornbread</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2. Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, brussels sprouts</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">3. Conecuh sausage, sautéed cabbage, fried apples</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">4. Leftover soup, cornbread</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">5. Grilled Steak, potatoes, asparagus, tossed salad</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">6. Out to eat</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7 Big salad meal</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Enjoy your week staying on plan, going off plan or with no plan at all</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Books read in January</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Demon Copperhead</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Paper Names</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Symphony of Secrets </span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">May all your weeds be wildflowers,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Anne</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Anne in the kitchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-82133340008694405792024-01-15T05:55:00.000-08:002024-01-15T05:55:11.803-08:00And It Is Back<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Week 2 of January has come and gone. I am still unsure how that is possible. I also will admit there is a certain joy posting meals and joys together. I am not as likely to forget about either one if they are together. Of course it is only the 2nd week of the year, so the jury is still out!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZUrxG8APyiI" width="320" youtube-src-id="ZUrxG8APyiI"></iframe></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Monday:</b> This was not a big day around here, but I did have a wonderfully long phone conversation with My Beloved Sister. We were both doing chores and used speaker phone options to provide each other diversions while cleaning. (Neither of us is hip enough to use a blue tooth option) There is joy when laughing while cleaning cabinets. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There is also a huge joy having my daily coffee in my new mug</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEOUiBHQ0eIMOXbLmqUHzXBt1g1wsFR5oVvn0Tyex3_lewJ9mILPwQhLOvMHeFOgU9boRyXoYQZIUufjIJED-mGD3iGwc1GzdDKOzX2iRxmWfQXZfmNbYGqe3PxNBfJ4kEgnMdriSEjpK0tN8j5XoUKlZSAkLWuGWTv0fC-Nm58FbuJwaH5btc-tPHOT-/s4032/410290F5-7A9F-4D16-BAA0-40C0E2132BDD.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEOUiBHQ0eIMOXbLmqUHzXBt1g1wsFR5oVvn0Tyex3_lewJ9mILPwQhLOvMHeFOgU9boRyXoYQZIUufjIJED-mGD3iGwc1GzdDKOzX2iRxmWfQXZfmNbYGqe3PxNBfJ4kEgnMdriSEjpK0tN8j5XoUKlZSAkLWuGWTv0fC-Nm58FbuJwaH5btc-tPHOT-/s320/410290F5-7A9F-4D16-BAA0-40C0E2132BDD.jpeg" width="240" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Thanks to DIL2 and Son2 who "get" me</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Monday night we watched the NCAA football championship.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner: </b>Because the game was going to be played when we would normally eat, we decided to have a quick game day meal.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Grilled cheese sandwich, veggies and dip</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Tuesday:</b> I attacked some more places in the common areas of the main level of the house and found several things I no longer wanted or needed. What a joy to have a local Buy Nothing facebook group. I was able to give 5 very nice household items to people who wanted them. 3 of the things had never even been used, so I felt great. Each thing I posted had at least 10 people who wanted it. Whenever my home phone rang I would ask the caller (either TheHub, Sons, Cousin S or My Beloved Sister) to pick a number 1- however many people wanted that item, and that was the person I gave it to. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner:</b> We met BIL C and SIL P at Evangeline's in Tuscaloosa. We have been trying to get together since before Christmas and it is always wonderful to see them.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Steak, asparagus (me) pecan crusted redfish, asparagus, blackberry cobbler with caramel ice cream (TheHub)</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Wednesday:</b> I went to class, did a little non-grocery shopping, then drove to Independence Place to celebrate T's birthday. Every year each participant has a birthday party, and this year I plan on being at as many as I can make. For the ones I can't get to, I will have a card with a little surprise in it at the party. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Slightly sad news was the Alabama football coach retired. Nothing lasts forever and I am so very glad the school had him for 17 years. He did a lot for the school and the community in general.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner: </b>Neither of us were very hungry, so___</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Veggie beef soup (TheHub) turkey mushroom soup (me)</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Thursday:</b> The day was gorgeous, windy but gorgeous. I probably should have gone to the store, but really needed nothing worth getting ready to go out. Instead I had a glorious day doing laundry and reading. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner:</b> TheHub went to a baseball fundraiser for our local high school team, and I did not feel like cooking just for me.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Cauliflower florets, ginger dressing</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Friday: </b>I had planned on being home and organizing/getting rid of stuff. As luck would have it, in the middle of getting rid of things, UPS came with a huge box of </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">dishes.</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> I hate to even admit that, but at least it was not a new set. It was just some additional pieces I added to existing sets. After I unpacked them, I was left with 17x16x14 inch box filled with degradable packing peanuts and that brown waffle type paper used to wrap around breakables. On a lark I listed it on the Buy Nothing site and within. few minutes I got a message from a woman who will be moving soon and wanted it. Whoo hoo! Passing it on is much <strike>easier</strike> better than recycling</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner:</b> Instead of going out like we do most Friday nights, we stayed in, ate a simple dinner and coordinated our calendars for the next 3 months. Afterward we watched an episode from the final season of <i>Better Call Saul</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Roasted chicken, tossed salad</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Saturday:</b> TheHub needed to go into work for a bit. Some Saturdays he works for about 4 hours because the office is empty and his phone does not ring constantly. Our weather is supposed to turn much colder, so while he was working I was busy making soups, chili and various broths. A little food prep never hurt anyone, and the new week should be a lot easier. (Major joy having part of the week's meals ready)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After he got home we watched Alabama's new coach have his first press conference following the very quick hire. I have no idea how you convince someone to uproot their family and move across the country in just 49 hours. I know nothing about him but his first impression was good.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We set out to run a few errands before eating lunch. By the time we finally got things done it was after 3 pm.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner:</b> Because we ate lunch so late we did not eat dinner, or maybe we ate dinner at 3, your call. Either way our meal was late afternoon.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Pita sandwiches, tabbouleh, grilled mushrooms </span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Sunday: </b>After church we ran a couple of quick errands and gassed up my car for the week. If we are together when I am getting gas, TheHub pumps it. (Joy) Don't get me wrong I pump my own most of the time, but if he is driving my car and we stop I never fight him to let me do it.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We came home, had a simple lunch, then each of us went our separate ways to do a few things we each needed to get done for an easier week.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We ate before watching another episode of <i>"Better Call Saul". </i>I have enjoyed watching it but we are just a few episodes away from the finale and I am ready for it to end.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner:</b> Our meal came together in two separate ways. I have said before TheHub cannot cook worth a flip, but he is excellent at procuring food. Saturday, while we were running around, he decided he wanted some seafood, so he went to our local fishmonger and bought a pound of steamed shrimp. Meanwhile, after I was reorganizing the laundry room fridge I found a forgotten bag of TJ's cruciferous vegetable shreds (it was just about beyond using), and a huge ham bone. Though I would normally never serve the two things at the same time, it actually worked fairly well.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">"Cabbage" and ham soup*, steamed shrimp</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Meal plans</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It is going to be much colder for us than we are used to. W<span>e are kind of cold weather sissies, and I did some serious prep to keep from having to</span> move about too much this week. Life is much warmer sitting under a blanket on the couch and reading while dinner just needs to be heated. Cold weather meals are the name of the game here this week.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1. Turkey vegetable soup (already made)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2. Chili, coleslaw, cornbread (already made)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">3. Broccoli cheese soup (prepped just needs to be thrown together)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">4. Faux bean and sausage soup (broth is already cooked)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">5. Meatloaf, greens, mashed potatoes</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">6 Out to eat</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7. Leftover soup, sandwich , salad</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Have a great week staying on plan, going off plan, or with no plan at all</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">January Books Read</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Demon Copperhead - Barbara Kingsolver</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Paper Names - Susie Luo</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">May all your weeds be wildflowers.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Anne</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">p.s. Who says people in Alabama aren't smart???</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iZ9Nz0C_NJA" width="320" youtube-src-id="iZ9Nz0C_NJA"></iframe></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">* The soup was probably a little better than it might normally have been because that ham bone</div><div style="text-align: left;">swam in simmering water for about 6 hours. The broth was some of the best I have ever made, andI have enough to make another batch of soup later. Win!</div>Anne in the kitchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-37339405337226531652024-01-08T13:27:00.000-08:002024-01-08T13:27:48.713-08:00Shaking Things UP<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And so begins a new year and one week is already in the books. This year, because the year began on Monday and I do my meal planning on Monday, I am combining the joy list and meal posts into one.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For any of you who are new to the blog, I keep a list of my daily joys, then on NYE I reread them so I can start my new year thinking about joyful things.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IsktHpH5QGk" width="320" youtube-src-id="IsktHpH5QGk"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Monday:</b> Happy New Year! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Son2, DIL2 , and Reesy (dog) came over for our family's traditional New Years\'s Day dinner (which we actually ate at about 2:30 because we wanted to watch the ball game) The game came and went without the outcome we had hoped for. Oh well, life goes on. Roll Tide!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Reesy decided the only place she could be comfortable was the couch. Dogs are not allowed on my furniture, so a compromise was made. I put a blanket on it, she struck a queenly pose, and stayed there quite contented</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner :</b> Traditional New Year's day meal which I have had every year of my life with the exception of the year we were in London the week after Christmas.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Ham, collard greens, black eyed peas, chowchow, pickled okra, pickled peppers, cheesecake</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Tuesday:</b> I woke after sleeping a full 8 hours, which rarely happens. I am usually a 5 or 6 hour sleeper. I truly did feel fully rested, but slept so much I was a little groggy at first. <br />I managed to get the house in some semblance of order (Translation: I swept the floors, vacuumed and took a few of the Christmas decorations upstairs, then read.)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">TheHub was flying in from Pasadena and my job was to be at the airport when his flight arrived. I will just say thank you for the invention of cell lots. Otherwise I would have been driving in circles forever waiting on the plane to land.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner: </b>TheHub did not want the quick dinner I had planned to make once we got home. Instead we did takeout from Captain D's. Not my favorite but it is ok in a pinch. By the way, their grilled fish is more than decent for a fast food joint.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Fish (cod I assume) with either broccoli and coleslaw, or fish with green beans and baked potato</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Wednesday: </b>This was a bonus type of day. Sluggy and Mr. Sluggy stopped by my house for a visit on their way home from the D.C. area. It was so good to see them. Sluggy is still the same person inside, but her outsides have changed drastically! She is just a slip of a gal now! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">TheHub and I were supposed to have dinner with my BIL and SIL in Tuscaloosa, but it was cancelled for the second time. I hope the rescheduled dinner this week works out since both planned dinners the week before and a bit over a week after Christmas had some last minute hitches.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The upside of the dinner cancellation was the ability to see my cousin K who was passing through on her way to or from Fort Worth. I was never exactly sure which direction she was headed, but I try to see her each time she breezes through town. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner:</b> Several of my cousins had planned on meeting at a restaurant to visit with K and we were able to join them. My Beloved Sister rode with us and it really helped her. She is directionally challenged and would never have found her way to the northern suburbs if she had to drive herself.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It was fun seeing everyone and I am not sure why those of us in town don't get together more often.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Olive Garden fare. Lasagne for TheHub, soup and salad for me</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Thursday: </b>I began to implement my word for the year. Alignment started with baby steps getting some things in order and also placed according to use. I began with the corner cabinets in my dining room. Logical folks would automatically think only dishes and service items should be stored there, but I have kept many things that have nothing to do with dining or entertaining in them for a long time. That changed Thursday. My Beloved Sister and I took inventory of my dishes and it seems I have 10 sets. I probably should host a dinner for 100 or so people just to use the dang things. All of those would not fit into one corner cabinet, so a couple of sets are still living in the kitchen cabinets (every day use), and butlers pantry. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My next dining room task is to attack the buffet where silverware, tablecloths and napkins live.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner:</b> It was cold and we both wanted something simple and warm</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Chili, oyster crackers, coleslaw (upside: frozen chili for another meal)</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Friday:</b> I had a stay at home day, which was wonderful. One of my aims this year is to stay ahead of my laundry, so I was able to do both loads, have them all dried, folded, and put away by mid-morning. Morning laundry is a habit I need to hone. I am one of the worlds greatest procrastinators though.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I did not clean out the dining room buffet but I did clean out my bedroom armoire, getting rid of things I will never wear again</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner:</b> It was still a chilly night and neither of us were in the mood for a heavy meal.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Vegetable beef soup</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Saturday: </b>The day was a little warmer but still overcast and dreary looking. I read all morning while TheHub spent about an hour and a half on the phone with our internet provider. After all that time we found they had sent us a faulty "new to us" modem and we had to return it. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">While we were out we ran a few errands before heading back home for lunch and more reading. It was a lovely mostly lazy day.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner:</b> I am in a big "using what I have on hand" mode right now, and plan on doing the minimal amount of grocery shopping for the month. My freezer is filled with all sorts of proteins and my pantry is overflowing. All I will need to buy really is produce, and I have a ton of it in the fridge at the moment. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Conecuh sausage, au gratin potatoes, coleslaw</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Sunday: </b>We went to church, came home and both of us got a few things in order. TheHub attacked some of his clothes and I launched an attack on all serving pieces in the dining room cabinets, though I polished nothing that needed polishing. I will do that another day and time.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After finishing some chores I settled down to some serious reading. My aim this year is to read a minimum of one book a week.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner:</b> We watched some football while a bolognese sauce simmered on the stovetop</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Spaghetti with sauce, tossed salad, dinner rolls (upside: frozen sauce for another meal</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Possible dinner plans for the week</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1. Out to eat</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2. Ball game meal (College final game is Monday night)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">3. New cauliflower recipe, grilled chicken</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">4. Brussels sprouts, baked potato, steak</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">5. Soup (TBD) sandwich</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">6. Big salad meal</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7. Black eyed peas, greens, cornbread</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sticking to plan, changing plan or totally ignoring plan__we will still be fed</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Aims for the week:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Read at least 1 book</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Work in the living room (piano music overload and a few errant objects that have been stuffed into cabinets and drawers)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Work on one area in the laundry room (the laundry room is huge and a mess)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Class</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Coffee or lunch with friends</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Explore something new </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Have a great week and look for your joys, no matter how small. They are always out there.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">May all your weeds be wildflowers.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Anne</span></div>Anne in the kitchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-66511113581750473092024-01-05T21:53:00.000-08:002024-01-05T21:53:02.239-08:00The Past is the Past and the Future is Wide Open<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QV9JJmSCiI8" width="320" youtube-src-id="QV9JJmSCiI8"></iframe></div><br />Nows that we have stepped a few days into 2024, I thought it might be a good time to look over 2023 and share plans for this new year.<p></p><p>2023 began calmly enough for me. During the first part of the year I battled a Covid type illness, that never tested positive for Covid, but it took me a couple of weeks to fully recover. </p><p>We had many houseguests over the course of the year, and several of them consisted of 4 or 5 people at a time. The guest parade began in February and continued through November. Lots of guests meant lots of laundry. I understand several of the football season guests are making plans already to return.</p><div style="text-align: left;">We took a few trips during the year. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Palm Springs (I highly recommend <a href="https://www.rentbyowner.com/property/villa-mila-palm-springs-id-3655/HA-3212348305?gclid=CjwKCAiA7t6sBhAiEiwAsaieYu7S39M6rICeDxSBLbGVatgXuVaAVo4AxeHenkInXkfcYMXeb31SoBoCfyMQAvD_BwE">mila's villa</a>, and am so thankful DIL1 has been friends with Mila for years)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Portland, Oregon</div><div style="text-align: left;">Nashville, several times</div><div style="text-align: left;">Gulf Shores vacation</div><div style="text-align: left;">Atlanta (I think we were in Atlanta 4 or 5 times this year)</div><div style="text-align: left;">TheHub went to Pasadena (from Dec 30-Jan 2)<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If there were any others they were small quick trips and I have forgotten about them</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We lost Uncle Bob (Mom's brother) who was the last sibling from that generation</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We began a landscaping project in November. I swear they come and lay one stone then leave. At this rate we will be through by December__maybe.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We continued our season tickets for Alabama Football games and the Birmingham Broadway series.</div><div style="text-align: left;">TheHub and Son2 enjoyed the ballgames and TheHub and I enjoyed the plays.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">TheHub did not retire</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Those were the highlights of the year ___Now moving forward to what we hope will happen in 2024</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Houseguests</div><div style="text-align: left;">Huge family trip in June</div><div style="text-align: left;">Gutting the Master Bath room, new flooring in the den and MBR, new front door, replacing double pane windows that have lost their seal</div><div style="text-align: left;">Continuing the landscape work</div><div style="text-align: left;">Volunteering at IP</div><div style="text-align: left;">Make an effort to do things with friends each month</div><div style="text-align: left;">Have one dinner each month at a different "nicer" restaurant</div><div style="text-align: left;">Entertain monthly</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">On a personal note, I chose the word ALIGNMENT to be my word for the year. My hope is to get everything in the house and also my life in alignment. Lucky for me there is so much I need to align I should not run out of things to do.</div><p><br /></p>Anne in the kitchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-71704678360879618592024-01-01T00:42:00.000-08:002024-01-01T00:42:12.359-08:00Happy New Year<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jmnfj3AZ118" width="320" youtube-src-id="jmnfj3AZ118"></iframe></div><br /> <p></p>Anne in the kitchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-33589456043501042672023-12-31T11:31:00.000-08:002023-12-31T11:31:25.976-08:002023 Joy List Ends<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3wSP59NjoIY" width="320" youtube-src-id="3wSP59NjoIY"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This will be my last Sunday post of the week's joys. Tomorrow begins a new year so all of 2024 will be a joys for the past week and meal plan for the future week Monday combo plate. That will be much easier for me because I am much more likely to post a single entry rather than the two separate ones I have been doing for 2023. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Like I do each year, today I will be rereading the joys, small and large I had this year and will be thankful for each one. At the same time I will be looking forward to the possibilities of the coming year. That being said, here are my joys for the last week of 2023.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Sunday: </b>Christmas Eve came and went gently. Generally I have a little last minute scurrying around, baking and wrapping gifts. This year I had absolutely none of that. I had set the dining room table Saturday evening after I vacuumed the rug so that was done. My meal prep for Christmas brunch was at a minimum, and the only order of business we had was to call our nearby Chinese restaurant for our traditional Christmas Eve takeout meal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Monday:</b> It was a rainy dreary Christmas morning. Perfect for a celebratory brunch! Son2, DIL2, My Beloved Sister and BIL joined us for present exchanging, meal, and long conversations. They left a little before 4, then TheHub and I did a joint kitchen clean up before settling down for a little nap. leftover brunch food was the meal for the night but I was still full. TheHub zapped his and I drank another cup of coffee then we decided to watch Christmas movies.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Tuesday:</b> TheHub had to work and I had to read over a breakfast of coffee and Christmas cookies. It was hard to do but somebody had to do it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I made one stop to a local store. The only thing I needed for next Christmas was a pack of self stick Christmas gift tags. I had used ever single one I had , but the store had sold out of them by the time I got there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Imagine my surprise when TheHub came home from work after stopping at Publix (recreational shopping once again) and had not only his banana, but also a pack of $.50 gift tags. I guess I need to quit saying he never pays attention to what I say</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That evening we sat at the kitchen table and decided what our year end contributions to the charities we support would be, so I could get them in the mail early Wednesday morning. I am very thankful we are able to pass something along to others.</div><p><b>Wednesday:</b> I always change the decor on the dining room table from Christmas to New Years during the week between the two. This day I changed out the table runner from traditional Christmas to a runner with a blue and silver winter theme. I also took up any little tchotchkes that screamed Christmas and replaced them with winter looking items. The buffet still looked a little to Christmasy, but I left it to change later.</p><p><b>Thursday:</b> I found a trust savings account did not know I had. It was one Mom and Dad had created, I have no idea how many years ago, and would not have known about it if I were not looking for some needed year end statements from an account I did know about.</p><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Friday: </b>TheHub worked and I tackled the remaining Christmas decorations. The best thing about putting out very few things is there is very little to pack away. </div><div style="text-align: left;">DIL2 and Son2 stopped by for a visit. We always enjoy seeing them.</div><div><br /></div><b>Saturday: </b>I took TheHub to the airport for an early morning flight the stopped by Aldi on the way home. They had advertised some silicon containers that are measured into specific serving sizes. I thought they would be handy for freezing leftovers. Since it was still early and I had not planned on stopping anywhere I had not showered, nor put on any makeup. I went to the store anyway and was surprised to find the world continued to spin on it's axis and I did not scare any small children or dogs while I shopped. Turns out Aldi does not care what I look like as long as I pay for my stuff. Epiphany!<div>I came home, put things away and settled into TheHub's recliner for a day of reading and football bowl game watching. </div><div>After the games I started watching a strange series and I still have no idea where it is going, but I will watch it through the season before I decide if I like it or not. (Right now I am leaning toward the "or not" because I found myself fast forwarding through a good bit of it)</div><div><br /></div><div>And that closes out my year of joys. I hope you look for yours in2024. They are always out there.</div><div><br /></div><div>May all your weeds be wildflowers.</div><div>Anne</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/adwni-Jt8qQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="adwni-Jt8qQ"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div>Anne in the kitchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-80959591027022475642023-12-30T09:51:00.000-08:002023-12-30T09:51:31.191-08:00Whatcha Doing<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UFdfzNMV52Q" width="320" youtube-src-id="UFdfzNMV52Q"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"> Right now most of the world has their plans set in stone for New Year's Eve. Over the years TheHub and I have run the gamut for ringing in the new year. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">When our sons were small, we had celebrations at home with bell ringing and firecrackers, usually with others in the neighborhood. As they aged our plans changed. We have been at those gigantic celebrations with funny hats, champagne, horns and confetti. We've sat in restaurants eating breakfast and a mimosa toast at the stroke of midnight with good friends. We have been at small intimate gatherings at someone's home. As we have gotten older we tend to just stay here. We would often watch whoever is televising their Rockin' New Years Eve event on TV. However, now we are familiar with so few of the performers that it is not really our cup of tea, so we put on soft clothes and watch a movie until a few minutes before countdown, then we change the station just to see a few minutes of the revelry.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">This year is going to be different for us. For the first time ever we will be spending the night apart. This morning I dropped TheHub at the airport for a flight to LAX. From there he will go to Burbank and meet Son1's family once they arrive Sunday evening. NYD they will be going to the Rose Bowl. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I could have gone too, but we only had 4 tickets to the game, and as much as I would love to see them, they would be leaving for the game early Monday morning and I would be stuck by myself until later after they made their way back to the hotel. TheHub is flying out Tuesday morning, and the entire visit with them would be for about 36 hours. It was just not worth the time and money to spend most of my waking hours alone. I will save my money and go to Portland later for an extended visit.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">So that leaves New Year's Eve. I am debating between two options. If Son2 and DIL2 want to come here and have a game watching party NYD, I will stay in town, read and watch the game with them.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">My other option is to drive to Nashville. Son3 and DIL3 are having a watch party for the games on NYD. They were kind enough to invite me, and there is a very nice hotel about 5 minutes from their house. I can be there is about 3.5 hours, unless I am driving during the heavy traffic times and then it takes 100 hours to get through Nashville. Well at least it feels like that long.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">So we will see! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">What are your plans to bring in the New Year?</span></p>Anne in the kitchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-33339475309836476322023-12-29T00:04:00.000-08:002023-12-29T00:07:22.482-08:00Just for Fun<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/axNtfMRsObg" width="320" youtube-src-id="axNtfMRsObg"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Anne in the kitchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-88343946661729877602023-12-27T11:27:00.000-08:002023-12-27T11:27:12.355-08:00Heads Up For Christmas 2024<p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LwauKp3S4j4" width="320" youtube-src-id="LwauKp3S4j4"></iframe></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />It is the best time of the year to <a href="https://www.rachelteodoro.com/2018/12/10-items-to-stock-up-on-at-after.html"> stock up</a> on these items for next Christmas.</span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And just in case you didn't get what you really wanted for Christmas try <a href="https://people.com/best-after-christmas-sales-amazon-2023-8419112">clicking here</a></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Personally I neither needed nor wanted anything, and actually need to get rid of a decent percentage of the items in this house. (Does anyone really need multi sets of anything?)</span></p>Anne in the kitchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-87386721157677273852023-12-26T13:46:00.000-08:002023-12-26T13:46:00.115-08:00Let Down? I think Not!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oqqjjT_XxUU" width="320" youtube-src-id="oqqjjT_XxUU"></iframe></div><br /> <p></p>Anne in the kitchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388810380797297879.post-54983038400476461762023-12-25T06:51:00.000-08:002023-12-25T06:51:46.287-08:00Merry Christmas<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7r3VVMUhAxU" width="320" youtube-src-id="7r3VVMUhAxU"></iframe></div><br /> <p></p>Anne in the kitchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.com0