The 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.
This is a week of what didn't happen or "How can two people dine out or take out so many times in one week"
What was planned and what didn't happen
1. Out to eat (Heading to Georgia for a quick trip)
2. Out to eat (Trivia Tuesday)
3. Crack chicken, Waldorf salad, broccoli
4. Steak, baked potato, tossed salad
5. Taco night
6. Out to eat (Greek Food Festival)
7. Baked stuffed sweet potato
We did pretty well on the eating out part of the plan. In fact we did so well that we managed to extend the eating out to 3 more meals.
I think I am going to change up the menu planning page next week, and start posting our meals on this rather than my on Monday weekday post. It makes more sense to me, and honestly will be easier for me.
At Last! Spotify and I Are Working Together! The first song on Monday's Discover Weekly play list was Lets Stick Together. I had never heard of this artist before but I was familiar with the song itself, and I could work with the word "together" pretty easily.
And I apologize for not commenting on a lot of your blogs. I have been reading them but when I try to post after commenting it seems to be lost in the ether, and it times out before going through. Weirdly it only happens sometimes and not others. I have given up trying to figure how Blogger works (or doesn't work).
Monday: I try and plan nothing on Mondays. I like to be at home and get all the ducks that flew the coop over the weekend in order for the week. Didn't work this week though.
We made some changes regarding our estate planning and put everything in a trust. That included the house and because our house was in my name, I was the one who had to go to the satellite courthouse office and legally re-title it for tax exemptions. (I have no idea why they call it an exemption, when you still have to pay, but just a tad less than we used to)
Anyway thankfully there was no line and the woman who helped me could not have been nicer, which is a rarity there. It took less the 15 minutes to complete the task, and I figured as long as I was already in "going out and about" clothes and makeup, I might as well run a few errands then go ahead and hit the sale items I had on my grocery list from ThePig.
Just about every Monday they have a special free or reduced price item, in addition to the weekly free one. Woo hoo! Red Solo cups and a package of Martha White Muffin mix at zero cost. Of course I also bought 7 pounds of ground chuck (sale priced) and 10 pounds of chicken quarters (also sale priced) Just as I was pulling in the driveway after shopping, our new neighbor and her 3 year old daughter came over to chit chat for a minute, but her daughter wanted to come into the house. She took a little tour of the main level and found the toys I keep on the den hearth, then agreed one day in the next couple of weeks she and her mom will come here for a tea party.
She is an adorable child with flame on orange hair. I told her mom I always wanted one of mine to be a ginger, but I guess basic genetics worked against that ever happening.
Once they left I began processing the chicken quarters for the freezer. After cooking and boning them I have enough cooked chicken for a couple of casseroles, chicken salad, and Korean lettuce wraps twice. Additionally I had the beginnings of a couple of quarts of broth in the crockpot.
What I learned: I am a sucker for a 10 pound bag of chicken quarters, even if I don't really need them.
Dinner: Sloppy Joe's, green beans
What I listened to: Come together
Tuesday: I woke, had coffee the dressed for the day. My Beloved Sister picked me up and we headed to Leeds (a community that is a bit of a haul from ours) to meet our cousin and her 2 darling grandsons at The Burrow Bookstore
It's a 2nd hand bookstore that is absolutely adorable. In addition to books and a "through the wardrobe" kids reading nook with pillows and a Narniaesque scene on the back wall, they sell book accessories, reading glasses, (good thing because I forgot mine and had to buy a pair to add to my collection of a dozen or so that I already have) jewelry, totes, teas and tees. It was wonderful seeing them, but best of all I walked out of there with 3 Christmas presents.
What I learned: Downtown Leeds is having a resurgence with several new places that have opened recently.
Wednesday: I had my usual Wednesday class, came home for a quick lunch, then TheHub and I headed out for Gainesville, Ga. TheHub's sister lives there and had invited him to come speak to a women's group she belongs to. Since it would be a 10 Thursday morning it made sense to spend the night at her house.
Once there, after sitting in afternoon drive time traffic through Atlanta, we made it to her place a little later than we had hoped for, but we made it.
And for the second time during the week, I forgot to bring glasses, so before I could go out to eat dinner, I had to run by Dollar Tree and pick up a pair. (I actually bought 3 while I was there so I can have a couple to leave in the both mine and TheHub's car glove boxes.
What I learned: When driving all the way through Atlanta either plan on doing that leg of the trip at either 2 pm or am. I would hate to fight that drive time chaos daily.
Dinner: We all went to Mellow Mushroom along with our nephew for dinner.
Greek Salad, bruschetta
Listened to: We go together
Thursday: We woke, downed a cup or two of coffee, (though TheHub and SIL both eat real food in the morning) got dressed and took off for SIL's club meeting. TheHub gave his talk about Parkinson's and what their association does both in funding research and patient resources.
Lots of questions were asked and answered if he knew the answer, researched and answered if he didn't. According to TheHub, I am his biggest critic and I thought he did a great job.
After his talk those who could make it met at The Puzzle Piece www.puzzlepiecepastries.org, a restaurant/bakery/ice cream shop, run primarily by adults with specialneeds. They do have some volunteer moms who are there to offer help when needed but they do most of it themselves. If you are ever in Gainesville Georgia please stop in!
Our drive home was uneventful with only 2 major traffic snarls in Atlanta. I am considering taking 30 minutes to go 2 miles a significant win vs. the drive time afternoon traffic we had Wednesday.
Once home we unloaded then I froze the chicken broth I had kept simmering on low in the crockpot when we left Wednesday afternoon. The broth was so rich and delicious, especially since the bones, once removed could be crushed with just the fingertips. I managed to get every bit of goodness out of those leg quarters.
What I learned: While I probably should not have gone out of town with the crockpot on low, the initial simmering, refrigerating it, then letting it simmer again (bones and all) for another day and a half turned traditional broth into something so much denser. I will do it again but not when I am going out of town.
Dinner: The Greek Food Festival was happening so we drove down to
grab a couple of dinners to bring home. Though we ordered 2 vegetarian plates it is not what we got, even though they both were labeled V. One was and the other was pastichio. I wanted the vegetarian plate, but TheHub wanted it more. It was fine, and the pastichio was delicious but it was just not what I truly wanted. I am pretty sure this was a first world problem.
Pastichio, green beans, spanakopita, tiropita
Listened to: Together, Where Ever We Go
Friday: This was a pretty uneventful day. I had a little bit of running around to do, but nothing noteworthy or particularly interesting.
What I learned: I learned the definitions of the subtle differences humans use when judging both things and other people.
Dinner: The Greek Festival was so delicious Thursday night we decided to go back Friday night and pick up some takeout.
Chicken, leftover caprese salad, rice pilaf
Listened to: Together you and I*
Saturday: Ball game day! The Bama game was in Starkville Mississippi, and TheHub only has tickets for the Vandy away game. We had a day of washing clothes and watching ball games. Though I went outside a couple of times that day, I did not leave our property even once.
As an aside, our lunch was the leftover Greek salads and pita bread that came with our take out Friday night, for the second meal from that order.
And finally the best part of the day (other than the Bama win) was some much needed rain. It had been so hot and dry and the rain came a little later than I would have liked, but it finally got here.
What I learned: Thanks to the various ball game announcers, I learned details about more college football player's off the field lives than I ever needed to know.
Dinner: Game days always require a game day meal.
Burgers with all the fixings, Sun chips
Listened to:Let's stay Together
Sunday: Our Sunday adventures can practically write themselves, since we so rarely change what we do. Our church routine does not vary unless we are sick or have overnight guests.
We picked up lunch on our way back to the house. We have found if we go to Zaxby's get one 6 piece tender plate and substitute an extra coleslaw for the fries, it is more than enough for both of us for a meal.
Once home, after eating, we both did our own thing.
And did I forget to mention the lovely rain we had? It was a perfect day to stay inside.
What I learned: We watched a video of the Teton National park and started a log of sites we want to visit when we are visiting there
Dinner: We finished up food we had saved from the Friday night Greek Festival plate.
Pastichio, spanakopita, tiropita, tossed salad
Listened to: Love Will Keep Us Together
What I read: I did not finish a book this week (juggling 3) so I have nothing to add.
Last week I was so full of myself for making a meal plan and actually sticking to it. Nothing like a little comeuppance to put me back in my place. This would be the week that wasn't! That is not totally true, I was pretty successful going out to eat but that was about it. So successful in fact, that we managed to have 3 additional meals of take out food. (Of course one of those days was eating the leftover pizza and salad from the night before, so it really doesn't even count, does it?)
It's too late to do anything about it now.
The past 7 days plan
1. Smoked sausage w/ kraut, potatoes, green beans
2. Sloppy Joes, coleslaw
3, Out to eat (formal benefit)
4. Out to eat (Trivia night)
5. Crack chicken, broccoli, Waldorf salad
6. Grilled steak, baked potato, tossed salad
7. Korean lettuce wraps, sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, roll
Potential meals for the next 7 days
1. Out to eat (Heading to Georgia for a quick trip)
2. Out to eat (Trivia Tuesday)
3. Crack chicken, Waldorf salad, broccoli
4. Steak, baked potato, tossed salad
5. Taco night
6. Out to eat (Greek Food Festival)
7. Baked stuffed sweet potato
And there is one possible additional out to eat night I did not include because the jury is still out whether we will go to Cullman for Octoberfest or not.
Another Spotify Discover Weekly mystery. This time I was blessed with Rhapsody in the Rain as the first song on the list. So I guessed I would be obligated to try and think of songs with either the word rhapsody in the title or the lyrics. If I am being honest, once I saw the song title, I could only think of 3 options, which turned out to be Monday's, Tuesday's, and Wednesday's songs,
The rest of the week proved to be a challenge, but eventually I remembered some more.
This is where having years of listening to a gozillion CD's in every genre came in handy.
Monday: I try and keep Mondays unencumbered to use as a catch up day tidying up after the weekend. This was one of those perfect Monday's that required nothing but shorts, flip flops, and no makeup.
Household chores are non-demanding like that.
What I learned: When cooking crayfish let them sit in the spicy water they were boiled in for 30 minutes after turning the heat off.
Tuesday: I had a little running around to do, as well as cherry picking 2 grocery stores before their weekly ads expired. In the evening we headed to trivia and met up with a couple of our neighbors.
What I learned: The trivia host this time was an under 30 years old young man whose trivia speciality was pop culture. I learned how unarmed we were to answer his questions since none of us were up on current music, the Marvel Universe, or current adult animation.
Dinner: TheHub and I had our typical shared dinner at trivia.
Shared flatbread, coleslaw
Listened to:Rhapsody in Blue
Wednesday: I went to my Wednesday morning class and did a little running around afterward. I had a few errands to run and returned home later in the day.
What I learned: Learned about the loneliest town in Alaska, Chicken. In the 2020 census, it had a population of 12.
Thursday: This was the day of the Parkinson's Gala. It is a huge formal fundraising event for The Alabama Parkinson's Association. Because TheHub had to be there much earlier than the event's start time I had to start getting ready before 3, so my morning was nothing more than reading and doing those things that are more spa like in nature.
It was a very successful evening, with Tim Tebow* as the keynote speaker, silent and live auctions, and great company at our table**
What I learned: We learned a good bit about current Parkinson's research that is happening right here in town.
Friday: This was mainly a recovery day. TheHub was exhausted from all he had been doing prior to the event and on the day and night itself, and just needed to take it a little easier.
I had a few things I needed to do, before we declared Friday night a do nothing night.
What I learned: We watched a video about a vacation spot we "won" in the live auction at the Thursday gala. Learned about Victor Idaho and the surrounding areas. I see a family vacation coming up in the spring or early summer.
Dinner: I had not taken anything out of the freezer to cook for dinner and we opted to do take out from Luna Pizza, a new pizza place not far from our house. We are not big pizza fans, but we will order this meal again.
Blanco pizza, greek salad.***
Listened to: Just My Imagination
Saturday: Ball game day! Our usual Saturdays begin with coffee and ESPN game day playing in the background. Games are on the tv all day and though we do not sit and watch them all, we do keep up with them while wandering in and out of the den. I will admit we stop and watch the last few minutes of a close game.
TheHub and Son2 headed to Tuscaloosa for the Alabama game while DIL2 came over to the house to watch it with me. I do actively watch the Alabama game.
What I learned: I'm not sure I learned anything other than Johnny Knoxville is a Tennessee fan. I could have easily done without knowing that.
Dinner: DIL2 and I had leftover pizza and greek salad
Listened to: Stand Alone
Sunday: We woke early and did our usual Sunday church routine, including attending a small reception honoring our minister who is pursuing a career in counseling other ministers. We came home in time to grab a quick sandwich before heading downtown to watch the Broadway tour of Hamilton.
We have seen the play before, and seeing it again did not disappoint us at all, but we agreed we do not need to see it again.
What I learned: Reserved parking at the BJCC is the no hassle way to go.
Dinner: We met Son2 and DIL2 after the play at Taziki's for an early dinner.
Chicken salad, tomato onion cucumber salad, mixed fruit
Listened to: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
Read this past week: Yesteryear
The Mad Wife
Have a great week!
May all your weeds be wildflowers.
Anne
*Tebow's father recently passed away from Parkinson's. Research and patient support is very near and dear to him. He is an excellent speaker.
** Son's 2 and 3, DIL's 2 and 3, and My Beloved Sister were sitting at our table, along with a young teen (Jr. Ambassador) who champions Parkinson's as her personal philanthropy, her parents, and our friend who is a current Parkinson's patient.
*** The Greek salad from Luna is gigantic with possibly the best dressing I have ever eaten. They should bottle and sell it!
Finally, with just a few minor adjustments to the meal side dishes I followed the 7 day plan from last Wednesday through Tuesday. Not to pat myself on the back or anything but . . .
Of course I know it will be a short lived victory because 7 more days begin today, and the likelihood of doing it again are pretty slim.
1. Leftover tomato pie, tossed salad
2. Leftover baked ziti (take out meal) tossed salad, green beans
3. Stuffed bell pepper, mashed potatoes, coleslaw
4. Veggie meal TBD
5. Ball game meal (most likely hot dogs, coleslaw)
Ok, now I officially believe the gods of Spotify's algorithm have figured out what I am doing each week and have decided to mess with me. Bob Hope's Thanks for the Memories was the first song? Really!?!
So, I decided the songs I listened to had to either have memory in the title or lyrics. By Friday I was having a hard time thinking of them.
Monday: I truly like Monday's to be unplanned. This day worked perfectly with that. I was able to get some things in the house done and still have some time for reading.
What I learned: We watched a video about the topography of New Zealand and why it was the perfect place to film Lord of the Rings.
Dinner: A lot of overripe tomatoes set the tone for this meal. I was just glad I had a pie shell in the fridge.
Tomato Pie, coleslaw
Listened to: Memory
Tuesday: The day was, for the most part, a regular day. I did a little tidying and dusting and got the dining room ready for company. Normally on Tuesday nights we go to trivia, but booted it for a planned dinner here.
When others come to eat with us, I truly like using the dining room and the "good" stuff. Even if I don't bring out the china we still use nicer plates, the silverware, and some sort of table decoration.
Dinner: We had a birthday dinner here, but there was no cooking involved.
Take out ziti, garlic rolls, tossed salad, Italian cream cake, Italian cream cake baby bites, half moon cookies*
What I learned: If you tell people you don't want/need a birthday cake, you'll get treats anyway
Listened to: In Memory of Elizabeth Reed
Wednesday: I had my Wednesday class than went to lunch with 2 of my friends who are in the same class. We tried a restaurant, Local, that is under new ownership. It was pretty good, and the new owner told us there would be live music Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. TheHub and I will have to try it one night before too long.
What I learned: I actually learned to plan leftovers in my weekly meal plan. And it only took me this long to learn.
Dinner: Planned overs to the rescue. A heat, toss and eat meal was pretty nice.
Leftover tomato pie, tossed salad
Listened to: The Way We Were
Thursday: My Beloved Sister came to my house and we went together to meet our book club for lunch. I had never been to Slice before. (We got lost. Who knew it was in something that looked like a house?)
I am not a huge pizza fan and did not want any, but, their wedge salad with green goddess dressing was fantastic.
What I learned:We watched a video about Wales. It might have moved to one of the top spots on my bucket list.
Dinner: Leftover ziti, tossed salad
Listened to: Memories
Friday: I had another at home day, with massive work taking out and rearranging everything in the freezer.** It worked for not only creating additional freezer space, but also to visually inventory what I have. (Too much!)
What I learned: I learned there was a huge cholera epidemic in Birmingham sometime in 1873, which wiped out nearly half of the population. Thanks to the "ladies of the evening" who acted as nurses to many of the survivors.
Dinner: Stuffed bell pepper, leftover speckled butter beans, coleslaw
Listened to: In My Life
Saturday: Ball Game Day!!! We began with ESPN Game Day on TV at 8 a.m. , and ended with the final play of the Ole Miss/LSU game.
What I learned: Ole Miss now does their version of Rammer Jammer
Dinner: Ball Game days require ball game meals.
Hot dogs with fixings, coleslaw, Sun Chips
Listened to: Gentle on my mind
Sunday: We woke and did our usual Sunday morning church activities, came home for lunch and hung around the house for the rest of the day. It was kind of nice to have a slow/low day at home. My only productive thing was to work in the laundry room refrigerator and freezer.
What I learned: The Atchafalaya River in Louisiana is home to both fresh and salt water critters, including alligators, shrimp, crabs, and bull sharks.
Dinner: Veggie night
Lady peas, corn on the cob, tossed salad, tomato slices, cornbread
Listened to: Memories ***
Read:The First Time I Saw Him
Have a great week.
May all your weeds be wildflowers.
Anne
* I love Italian cream cake, but making one is not in TheHub's playbook. There is a bakery near here that makes a delicious one but it is huge and we just didn't need that much cake around, so TheHub went to Pastry Arts to pick up a few baby bites.
Meanwhile Son2 and DIL2 went to the Dutch Oven Bakery in Faulkville to pick up a one layer Italian cream cake.
Not to be outdone My Beloved Sister headed to Full Moon to grab a dozen half moon cookies.
**Handy tip for working in the freezer is to wear ski gloves. They repel any dampness and keep the hands from freeing.
** *I think I vaguely remember this from Lawrence Welk or some similar variety show.
Lady peas, squash casserole, tomato cucumber onion salad
BLT salad
Out to eat
Leftovers or stuffed peppers with leftovers
I am planning our menu Wednesday -Tuesday to take advantage of the weekly food ads for my area. For the past 7 days I stayed almost on plan with slight revisions.
The night with the dijon chicken, I substituted mashed potatoes for the rice, but all in all any changes were minor.
The one meal I changed totally was simply because I had some tomatoes that needed to be used, and I had 1 deep dish pie crust in the refrigerator. Because we really do like it, tomato pie became our meal.
Also, the out to eat meal turned into a takeout meal for the family.
Possibilities for the week:
1. Leftover tomato pie, tossed salad
2. Leftover baked ziti (take out meal) tossed salad, green beans
3. Stuffed bell pepper, mashed potatoes, coleslaw
4. Veggie meal TBD
5. Ball game meal (most likely hot dogs, coleslaw)
