Fun Times In February

The past week started off in a frenzy of cleaning, cooking, and entertaining. DIL3's folks were in the states from Switzerland. Her dad was invited to learn to drive racing Porsches on a track in Birmingham, and her mom tagged along so she could visit. 

They spent a few days together in Nashville before all heading down here. 

Then, in the latter part of the week, TheHub and I watched Olympic events, Alabama sports, and then ended our week with a bang.  

I hope we do not stop making plans to have fun times with people and/or events we enjoy. 

Monday, Feb. 16: The day began getting my exchange club donations to the porch for pickup. Whoo  hoo! 82 items were gone forever by 9:30.

I was having DIL3's parents over for a Mardi Gras dinner Tuesday night, and wanted the house to be as clean as possible (or at least as clean as I could get it in the time I had). They would be in Birmingham by Tuesday evening and it would be the first time they were in Alabama and at my home. You know that saying "you only get one chance to make a first impression." The house was not perfect, but it looked very nice, it was decorated for Mardi gras, the table was set,  and my tail was dragging. I was happy for the night to come so I could stop working and watch some curling.

What I learned: I learned I have become a curling fan, at least for a couple of weeks every 4 years.

Dinner: Leftover pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes, coleslaw

Tuesday, Feb. 17: I had a bit of last minute cleaning , grocery shopping, prepping to get everything ready for the evening meal. Son3 and DIL3 arrived a couple of hours before her parents were arriving and Son3 became my sous. It was nice to be able to have everything, except for the fish (which had to be broiled at the last minute) ready ahead of time. U and K arrived at the house, we had time for some drinks and appetizers prior to dinner. The evening was a huge success! 

What I learned: A meal where most things could be made earlier in the day made the evening so much more pleasant for me. I could be part of conversations, rather than being a part time hostess while cooking.

Dinner: Jambalaya, rosemary steamed shrimp with remoulade and cocktail sauces, broiled grouper, tossed salad, french bread, king cake, chocolate chip cookies

Wednesday: DIL3 and Son3 took K and U out and about to see things in the city. Though they invited us to meet them for lunch we opted to let them have the day to themselves. We had arranged to take them all to dinner, and figured that was enough for the day. 

I took all the Mardi Gras decorations down and made a St. Patrick's day dining table centerpiece along with a few St. Paddy's items I arranged in the foyer. Unnecessary? Yep but it is something I like to do.

We all met at Hot and Hot Fish Club for dinner, and also included Son2 and DIL2 in the reservations. We had a lovely meal and great conversations.

What I learned: DIL3 is currently doing the voice over for Po from The Teletubbies. I learned I can't tell much difference in an English speaking Po, vs. a Swiss German speaking Po.

Dinner: Obviously everyone ordered what they wanted, but DIL2 and I shared a salad and entree.

Crab salad (crab, kohlrabi, apple, radish, avocado puree), Seared duck, with grits, mushrooms, onions and broccolini

Thursday:  Son3 and DIL3 took her mom to do a few things in town, including lunch at The Irondale Cafe (the inspiration for Fannie Flagg's Fried Green Tomatoes novel). Though we would have liked to join them, we decided if we went lunch might last a little longer and take time away from other things they wanted to do. Instead I hung out at the house and did a mountain of laundry.

What I learned: Curling stones for the Olympic games are all made from granite found on a volcanic island off the coast of Scotland

Dinner: We invited DIL3's mom to eat (her dad had plans with the Porsche group) but their hotel was offering a Southern Cooking class and K decided she wanted to take it.

Roast chicken, broccoli, mashed potatoes, cheesecake

Friday, Feb. 20: We had a nice breakfast with Son3 and DIL3 before they left to head back to Nashville. After they left I did a little bit of straightening up. At first TheHub and I were watching the olympics, but I decided I wanted to watch "Blue Moon" and headed to our room with my Ipad. I did watch the movie, but as soon as it was over I fell asleep and took a long nap. I was fried and needed sleep.

What I learned: The song Blue Moon, which I always thought was written for and recorded by the DooWap group The Marcels, is actually credited to Rogers and Hart in 1934. There was a law suit however from a young man who claimed he wrote it in 1931. No  idea what the truth is, but there was some financial compensation to the guy.

Dinner: Leftover jambayla, leftover broccoli

Saturday, Feb.21: We had another lazy day at home, getting the house back in order, reading and watching Bama softball and Bama basketball. 
What I learned: Alabama's freshman softball pitcher, Vic Moten, is a "take no prisoners" beast. (And I mean that in the very best way. She is  a fierce competitor). I am really going to enjoy watching her this season.

Dinner: Leftover grouper, tossed salad, leftover steamed shrimp

Sunday, Feb. 22: We went to our communion service, traditional worship and Sunday School. Once home we had about 45 minutes to get changed and eat a quick sandwich before heading downtown. We have season tickets to Birmingham's Broadway season and Sunday was MJ about the iconic Michael Jackson. It was a wonderful, high energy show, and one I enjoyed enough to see again. 

They have just announced next year's season. I am not crazy about it but we will go ahead renew. We have really good seats, 8 rows from the stage smack dab in the middle. Our row is eye level with the stage so we neither have to raise nor lower our head to see everything. It is perfect for us.  Season tickets guarantee we will keep the same seats we have had for over 15 years. I guess there are worse things than seeing Hamilton again.

What I learned:The definition of prodigal means living financially extravagant with little regard to assets and wastefully reckless. Gives a different perspective to the parable of the Prodigal Son.

Dinner: The last of the jambayla (Glad it is gone!)

Potential remaining meals for the February plan: (Since we ate a ton of leftovers this week, we did not eat many of the planned meals. The upside is there are many choices left.)

Crock pot beef brisket, mashed potatoes, green beans

Tuscan chicken bake, mixed green salad

Veggie frittata, berry compote

Pizza in a bowl, side salad

Grilled tuna steaks, baked potato, tossed salad, dinner rolls

Spaghetti, tossed salad

Creamy pork tenderloin, marinated cucumber salad

Pork chops, sautéed cabbage, cornbread

Pickle Poppers, chips (Basketball game meal)

Eggroll in a bowl

Mac and cheese,  black eyed peas, turnip greens, cornbread

Chicken fajita soup, tortilla chips

Kraut and franks, green beans, cornbread

Greek style chicken, rice, spinach salad

Meatloaf, new potatoes, brussels sprouts

Groceries bought this month:

1 bell pepper

2 cucumber
1 broccoli crown

1 bag coleslaw mix (convenience purchase)

1 carton grape tomatoes

3 romaine lettuce hearts

2 turkey tenderloins (BOGO  freezer stock up)

2 ham steaks (BOGO  freezer stock up)

1 pack Wahl Burgers (4 burgers, 2 frozen for later)

1 carton cauliflower mash

1 loaf cinnamon raisin bread

1 loaf cheddar bacon bread

1 pack sesame sticks

1 pack ham base

1 pack chicken base

2 cans rotel

1 can tahini

1 jar bread and butter pickles

1 jar duck sauce

1 jar pickled green tomatoes

2 oz, lecithin (emulsifier for homemade salad dressing)

cucumber dill dip mix

6 total containers sugar free chocolate coated pecans, cashews, and peanuts

2 boxes graham crackers BOGO

1 King Cake (Fat Tuesday dinner)

2 Mott's apple juice (BOGO)

1 bag peanut butter filled pretzels

1 pack andouille sausages

2 lbs grouper

2 lbs shrimp

2 bell peppers

3 lemons

1 onion

1 bunch celery

2 pounds rice (BOGO)

2 bags Tate's chocolate chip cookies (BOGO)

1 small cheese ball

1 small container antipasto

1 box triscuits

3 romaine hearts

3 cucumbers

1 bunch radishes

1 container cherry tomatoes

2 packs Ferrero Rocher chocolates (BOGO)*

1 bottle crystal hot sauce.

1 loaf french bread

1 bag VooDoo chips (It was Mardi Gras and I just had to)

Books read this week:

I, Judas  (Re-read. I read it decades ago)

Have a good week staying on plan, going off plan, or with no plan at all.

May all your weeds be wildflowers.

Anne

 

*Bought for the gold wrap as a decorative candy jar item for the Mardi Gras buffet table. The fact that it is chocolate and hazelnuts did not hurt.