So...whats for dinner?
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Minus, Thanks for the fingerling potato idea. I'm curious about the book, too.
Nance, I'm glad the haircut is not at the fried chicken place. When I worked at the college dining hall I did cut a fellow worker's hair (in the bathroom) after she burned a section of it on a warming lamp. I'm not a hairdresser but I cut my siblings' hair when they no longer wanted the buzz cut my dad gave them so I had some experience.
Dinner tonight was French onion meatballs and spinach on Swabian noodles.
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Two engaging books this week: Harlen Coben "Caught". J.T. Ellison "Her Dark Lies".
I'm trying to get ready for my son to arrive this weekend to install new computer hardware. My current desktop system won't support WINDOWS 11. While I'm grateful that he cares, I HATE learning new things so it will be stressful. And projected ice & snow while he's here. Not excited about taking him to the airport next Tuesday if it's snowing, but he can't change his schedule.
Going to make Laurie's Salsa Chicken Saturday - which he loves. Maybe a pork loin? Maybe Beef Burgundy? His wife is a vegetarian so I make meat dishes when he comes. Also I don't cook big 3-4 course meals often so it will be a chance for me to make things I don't usually prepare. But I know he will go to his Dad's for at least one main meal of the three days - likely Mexican. So I've certainly planned way too much food.
I had a meeting with the City tonight so never got around to dinner. Two pieces of pumpernickel toast and two Tanqueray martinis when I got home. Off to slumber land with a heated throw.
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Minus, my laptop will have to be replaced next fall but I'm in no hurry. Next Tuesday I will be picking up dh from the surgery center where he will stay overnight after his 2nd knee surgery. The weather definitely isn't being cooperative. I'm hoping the forecast for freezing rain or snow will not be accurate.
I enjoyed my lunch yesterday at a popular (and noisy, crowded) little restaurant. I had a veggie sandwich on toasted ciabatta bun. It was yummy. The bread was a treat in itself. I didn't eat the scoop of potato salad. Conversation was a challenge since one of my two women friends has a hearing issue under better circumstances. We normally try to pick a restaurant that isn't too noisy.
Dinner was stuffed pepper and baked sweet potato.
Tonight we will pick up seafood platters (fried fish and fried shrimp) at Pontchartrain Poboys and go to our friends' house for dinner. I'm considering including a quart of crab and corn bisque.
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We just did the windows 11 conversion last weekend. We bought software that you put on both computers and it does the transfer. A few tweaks and it was good to go…so far. I probably to maximize the use of computers, so not a huge learning curve for me.
Copper River sockeye tonight. Sides TBD.
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Minus, enjoy the visit with your son.
With my sourdough I don't bother with warm water and just allow it to do its first rise a bit longer.
I've been reading a book on the WW2 Battle of Midway. This book goes into a lot of detail about the personalities of the various commanders and their staffs. I'm finding it quite interesting.
Sharon went skiing and I stayed home with the dogs. Daisy was "fixed" on Tuesday. Tuesday and Wednesday she would randomly yelp (despite the pain meds). Yesterday she was moving okay, but I tried to keep her calm. This morning there was snow on the ground and she was a "wild child".
My laptop will do Windows 11, but I have some software that I need, but will not run under Windows 11…so that needs to be fixed first. My desktop isn't compatible. That one will likely get converted to Linux as everything I do on it has a Linux analog.
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Made enough hot dish for another night of dinner
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My desktop is 17 years old so there is no way I can update to Windows 11. I'm going to wait until closer to Oct to take action. DH has a laptop with Windows 11 and a desktop older than mine that now runs Linux but it wouldn't suit much of what I do. Currently I can't print from the desktop because it no longer has the capability to connect to updated wifi so I just use DH's laptop or my ipad for that. I read that 62% of PCs are still running Windows 10. Some can update but a large number cannot. It should be interesting.
Eric, I hope Daisy recovers quickly.
Carole, Yum on the crab and corn bisque.
We've been in the deep freeze with wind for almost two weeks. This weekend we’re supposed to get snow followed by temps around -15. Brrrr!
Dinner tonight was stir fried chicken in peanut and mango sauce on rice.
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Maggie, they are calling for wind chills of up to -40 here where I am in Wisconsin. Unless I have to go out, I am not. Not even taking the dog out, he can use a potty pad.
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I do miss my Wisconsin winters. Our temps are finally leaving the 50s, at least for a few days.
Eric, glad Daisy was a wild-child!
Leftover copper river sockeye.
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Busy week back to work, and meetings on campus on Thursday. My audio on zoom has been starting to get flacky, help desk thinks it is the old laptop Audi mic, so brought home my new laptop I keep at the office. Windows 11 and comes with Microsoft copilot, an AI assistant. I’m going to play around with the AI , I’m looking forward to it. See what all the excitement and worry is all about. And it seems I was exposed to Covid while there for a half day retreat! I was masked most but not all of the time, Should be ok , fingers crossed I test negative on Monday. Feeling so good in this part of the treatment cycle.
Made baked balsamic tempeh and a mushroom vegies stew, with brown rice. And treated myself to Trader Joe’s triple ginger snaps, cant eat Just one. Drinking echinacea, peppermint and green tea with a spot of honey. We are supposed to get up to 5 inches of snow tomorrow. Not a fan of snow anymore, lol or the cold.0 -
m0mmy, Definitely stay inside with those wind chills and plan for comfort food.
Rhonda, It's good that you have a backup work computer to use. I used AI to generate technical help instructions for confused students when I was teaching online but there are probably many other things it can do. Hope you don't get covid; keep drinking the echinacea tea.
The excitement this evening was a leak in our underground propane tank regulator. They replaced it in the dark while it was snowing lightly but fortunately before the big snow tomorrow. We have heat and hot water!
Dinner tonight was baked salmon with Chinese five spice and sauteed yellow squash, much later than usual since we had to wait for the gas to be turned back on.
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Maggie, good news that your propane leak situation was resolved!
I'm in something of a dither because dh's 2nd knee surgery is scheduled for tomorrow and, if all goes well, I will be picking him up from the surgery center on Tuesday, when it's supposed to be snowing and road conditions could be dangerous. Schools have already cancelled classes. We're wondering if the surgery might be re-scheduled. It's all out of our hands.
Dinner last night was a chicken noodle soup dh made, using a soup kit from a Harry and David gift package we received at Christmas. In addition to the chicken breast the instructions called for, dh added canned green peas. The soup tasted good. I splurged with whole grain Premium crackers and butter.
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Best wishes to your DH Carole for a successful surgery. I'm impressed that they're doing it so soon after the last one. At least you know what to expect this time around but the snow thing is no good. Hope they can reschedule.
I accidentally upgraded to Windows 11. I intended to keep windows 10 until it was no longer supported but I accidentally clicked on a pop up box and then it was too late. I don't care for it much but I suppose I'm stuck with it and I'm getting used to it.
Last night DH wanted toasted ravioli but I did not so that's what he ate and I had plain spaghetti with some Raos. I will willingly eat any noodle put in front of me with minimal adornment so it was satisfactory.
We're having deep freeze temps and brutal winds too. I think the high today is 14° with wind chill of -5°. Unfortunately I have to go out today. Ugh.
Dinner tonight is ground beef patties in onion gravy with mashed potatoes and peas. Comfort food. I've been craving homemade chicken noodle soup which Carole's post has reinforced so that may make it to this week's menu too.
For those of you expecting snow and ice, stay safe. Maggie, so glad you got your propane fixed in time. Rhonda - here's hoping for a negative Covid test. Nobody needs that.
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I believe that Windows 11 encrypts your computer disks…unless told otherwise. So check to see if there is an "unlock key". I upgraded to Windows 11 and then when I went to fix a couple of non working things, the "enter your disk key" popped up. I hadn't realized the encryption had occurred and did not have the key, so I had to "rebuild from the beginning". Fortunately I had a very recent backup, so I didn't lose any data.
That's good the propane regulator valve got fixed. We, too, have a propane tank, so if that regulator goes out, I'd be scrambling to get a new one. Compared to some, we have been having balmy 3F degree morning temperatures. If the propane system went out, I do have some portable heaters…but….. :-)
Carole, I, too, am hoping the knee surgery works out well and the roads are better than predicted. Are there any hotels near the hospital?
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The surgery was canceled and is tentatively rescheduled for Wednesday, but I'm doubtful that Wednesday's weather will be any better than Tuesday's. So we will see. I'm relieved because I had nightmarish visions of having an auto accident while transporting dh home from the hospital on Tuesday.
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Carole, bitter-sweet. I agree, safety first. Glad the reschedule can happen so quickly and hope the weather works out so it can take place.
The last of my copper river, maybe fleshed out with some eggs. Bag of sweet potato chips and whatever green veg is languishing in the fridge.
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tonight was soup and sandwiches
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Rhonda - during chemo, those Trader Joe's ginger cookies were a mainstay of my diet. Still love them.
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Carole, I’m glad you don’t have to make that risky drive. They’ll probably postpone again if the weather doesn’t improve but I hope the surgery can take place without further delay.
Nance, Comfort food definitely helps you get through a cold snap.
The snow is really coming down. We should be able to use the snowblower since the cold will keep it dry.
Dinner tonight was Italian beef stew on mashed potatoes.
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I'm baaaaack…..
No, not in my house (interior demo done; finally just got the construction permits but winter is getting in the way of beginning the rehab). Best guesstimate is that, given the extensive code-compliance work that needs doing in a 1908 house, besides restoration, we will be stuck here in Lincolnwood till June.
But if you were thinking the worst, fear not: I have been too lazy (and busy) to use a laptop and so have been doing everything on my phone, like a Gen-Zer; and typing other than texting on a phone is a royal pain. Pontiac Peggy knew I was okay because we were corresponding on Facebook.
Since I last checked in here, I sprained my L ankle and broke my L 5th metatarsal. Ironically, it was because I avoided falling: I lunged for the banister of my sunken living room but my rubber sandal stuck to the pile of the carpet even as I went forward & to the side. I plopped into my recliner instead of on to the floor, but the damage was done. Spent 3 weeks actually living in the living room (except for going to the powder room—where I washed because the bathrooms with showers were either a flight of stairs up to the 2d floor or down to the basement) and 7 weeks in a CAM boot, with 3 more weeks in a lace-up brace. Amazingly, the Bar Show wrote me some parts that did not require dancing and let me sing into an offstage mic. But I was eventually able to not only do rudimentary choreography—ok, organized gesturing—but even played guitar onstage! The show was a huge success and I can't wait to do it again next year. BTW, at 74 this coming Thurs,, I'm the second oldest woman in the cast and third oldest person, period! Our chief costumer, who takes bit parts because she barely sings, just turned 80.
It is brutally cold here, but we have had very little snow. Going down to -2F overnight, and we won't see positive double digits till Wed. morning. The hot-water heating system here dates back to the 1950s, when this place was built. Downstairs, the radiators are baseboards and do an adequate job (assuming we bundle up). But the bedrooms have mini-radiators in wall registers and are definitely not up to the job. We have to crank the thermostat to 80 in order for the ambient indoor air to stay above 65. We just bought sleeping bags to use as extra quilts.
All in all, though, it beats floods and especially wildfires. My friends in the L.A. area are safe and back in their intact homes—but I've been unable to reach my cousin in Altadena (his landline is kaput, likely because the house is gone; I don't have his mobile; and his office phones in Santa Monica and Pacific Palisades…well, you can guess). Bright spot is that neither his nor his wife's names are on the list of dead or missing.
The cats (BangBanf & Roxy) are a handful. They have become addicted to the laser pointer and follow me up to the bedroom and won't let me sleep until I've played with them for 15-20 minutes. I used it at first so they'd chase the dot into the hall, letting me close the door so I can sleep unmolested; but they wised up pretty quickly. Roxy then goes to sleep with Bob and BangBang with me…and wakes me up in the morning by aggressively nuzzling me till I can go downstairs to feed them.
Dinner-wise, we're coping. Even with a decent stove, fridge, dishwasher and dishes, I've had to buy stuff to let me prepare food & drink acceptably. We dine out 3-4x/wk, rotating among places up here in the near northern suburbs and sometimes down in our old 'hood (though we do attend special events like winemaker dinners down in the city). I cook from scratch maybe twice a week, because we reheat leftovers (that I usually augment) the night after a restaurant meal. I still get early satiety, which coupled with gargantuan restaurant portions, guarantees leftovers. Cravings beginning to creep back in, though nothing like before; still on the starter-dose of Zepbound and maintaining my weight loss despite that. Pushing protein & fiber.
Fri. night we went out for steaks (filet for Bob, ribeye for me) and spinach at Stefani Prime about 7 min. to our west; last night I reheated the leftovers, augmented with WF 365 brown rice/spelt/lentils and an app of grilled shrimp remoulade atop field greens. Tonight I cooked coho salmon over French green lentils, with nuked asparagus dressed with lemon & EVOO. Tomorrow, since it's going to be considerably below zero, I will make a pot of oatmeal for brunch and dress it up with maple syrup & brown sugar (keto-friendly versions for me). A treat, because I rarely eat cereal other than bran-based or keto. Might also scramble some eggs & nuke bacon. Dinner will be either chili or corned beef hash with diced peppers & onions. We have a Rombauer Winery dinner Thurs. (my b'day, #74) at McCormick & Schmick; and Friday I'm taking Gordy to BaBa Ree-Ba for a paella-making class & luncheon. (Bob's working and can't take off for a long lunch).
Discovered a branch of H-Mart out in Niles—easy to kill an hour in there wandering the aisles of Asian produce, fish, cookware, etc. I don't dare indulge in the food court.
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I'm almost certain the surgery won't take place on Wednesday. But we will await communications with the surgery center and the doctor's office.
Maggie, what makes the beef stew "Italian"?
I cooked more brown jasmine rice and warmed up the sausage and chicken gumbo for dinner last night. It was delicious with a sprinkle of gumbo file (fee lay). I also had a simple salad with romaine and avocado and a sprinkle of romano cheese. Dressing was Ken's light Italian.
My mother always added her file to the pot of gumbo but we add it to the bowl, following the recommendation of the cooking gurus.
Today I plan to cook navy bean soup with dry beans and slices of smoked ham hock that are mostly lean. I will probably add spinach to the cooked soup. Finely chopped onions, carrot and celery are early stage ingredients. Also finely diced canned tomatoes.
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made brats and baked beans for dinner. Another super cold night here.
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Carole, The stew meat is cooked in a can of diced tomatoes, red wine and beef broth. The veggies are onions, sliced mushrooms and carrots per the original recipe which I replace with diced green bell pepper and black olives. The spices are garlic, bay leaf, oregano, basil, thyme and salt/pepper which are pretty much an Italian blend. It's a change from the usual.
I've always added file to the pot so I'll have to read what the experts recommend. Emeril Lagasse's cousin who eerily looks very like him taught in the room across the hall from mine. He would occasionally bring in some really good Portuguese food he had made.
Sandy, Good to hear from you. Performing in the Bar Show with your foot problems shows what a trouper you are. It's great that you have been able to manage your GLP-1 meds and your diet so that you can still dine out at your favorite restaurants.
Dinner tonight was chicken Alfredo on noodles.
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Welcome back, Sandy. Thanks for the kitty update too. I miss mine every day.
Frozen pizza tonight. Leftovers tomorrow. Wed. I will make red braised Sichuan beef (Milk Street recipe using Fuschia Dunlop's basics).
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Tonight was lasagna and chicken parm DH picked up at the Italian market. Very good. Tomorrow I cook and that Navy bean soup may be what I make too, Carole. My DH loves it and we are expecting a "coastal snowstorm" here in the Carolinas. A cozy meal for this kind of rare weather.
Welcome back Sandy and glad things are going pretty well.
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I stayed up to see it SNOWING in Houston. Started around 11pm. Roofs are covered. Grass mostly covered. Predicting 1-4 inches where I live sort of NW of town. My son came in Saturday evening & got a new computer & Windows 11 installed. But he was only her 1-1/2 days out of a planned 4. I took him to the airport at 6am this morning so he could stand by for a plane since both airports are closed tomorrow & likely Wednesday (and schools, & bus service & city offices &who knows what else). Luckily he got out. This is the South. In addition to the extreme cold - people don't know how to drive on snow & ice. I don't have to leave my house. Pipes are wrapped & I should be OK as long as we don't lose power - then all bets are off.
Still testing new systems. It is a Lenovo desktop and he left the old Asus desktop plugged in on another desk in case I run into problems and need to get some work done. Windows 10 replaced with Windows 11. He configured the new software to be as close to what I'm used to as possible so I hope to have minimal problems. Still issues with the microphone on my camera for Zoom or Teams meetings. Apparently I sound like I'm in a tunnel. A new Lavalier microphone arrived today so I'll see how that works tomorrow (if we have power)
Dinner Saturday at my son's request was Laurie's Salsa Chicken served with brown rice & quinoa mix and frozen corn (the only vegetable he really likes). He put extra Gringo's hot sauce on his. I dosed mine with sour cream. Last night was baked pork tenderloin roast rubbed lightly with oil and sprinkled with tarragon, served with Bob Evans mashed potatoes. He put Bachan's Japanese BBQ sauce on his. Tonight I finished off the Salsa Chicken with 3 flour tortillas. I froze 1/2 of the leftover tenderloin, but will have pork sandwiches tomorrow. Luckily I have a gas stove & oven so I can have soup even if the power does go off.
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Minus, what a shame that your son's visit was cut short by weather. I know you look forward to time with him. His menu at home must be
"interesting" if the only vegetable he likes is corn and his wife is a vegetarian. Does he share her meals?We have a southern winter wonderland outside. The snowfall is quite thick and is accumulating on camellia trees full of blossoms. The Lake Pontchartrain causeway is closed as are most businesses. DH's Wednesday surgery is cancelled and so far no new date. Last snowfall of this magnitude was 1960, according to the news reports.
The navy bean soup was/is hearty and tasty. There's a big bowl of leftovers.
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Hi Sandy. It's good to see you posting again. I can just see you "clomp-clomp-clomp" as you come out to the stage.
We're at minus 1F at 8am this morning. The dogs don't seem to mind.
3-4 inches of snow in Houston and a winter wonderland near NOLA?!!?? Wow. I don't know about there, but when we lived in Phoenix, even 1/8 inch of snow would have the place closed for several days.
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We finally(!!!!) got to 29. I'm sorry for all those that dislike winter, but it is magical to me. I had such hopes we'd get some flurries, but so far, no-go. My sis, back in WI, will have a high of -5 and a low of -13. Sigh. I would pick those temps over 70s/80s any day. I know, I know, I'm weird.
Leftover frozen pizza and then the red braised sichuan beef tomorrow.
Minus, so sorry about your son's need for an early departure but glad he managed to get a flight. Good luck with your new equipment.
Carole, I hope your DH's surgery can be pushed till next week and the weather will calm down.
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It's currently -1° here but thankfully no snow. My brother in law who recently moved to Texas, who loves winter (strange move I know) is ecstatic. I'm happy for him. He's welcome to it.
Hello Sandy! Ugh on the foot but sounds like you're doing a good job of "making do" with your whole situation.
It's astonishing watching the weather channel videos of very familiar places to me covered in snow. Beaches even. Fascinating. I'm so sorry it cut short your sons visit Minus.
Last nights chicken noodle soup was delicious with plenty left for lunch.
Let's all make ham and beans! I even have buttermilk for cornbread. This will make DH happy. It's one of his faves.
stay safe and warm my friends.2
