So...whats for dinner?
Comments
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Christine: Thanks for posting that of your Mum and yes thinking of us at this time. I have to agree with moonflower - that smile of hers shines through on every picture. I know you would rather have your Mum at your side, but what wonderful memories you have and what a wonderful legacy of laughter and living life to the full she left. Thank you.0 -
Oh Christine. Thanks for sharing those pictures. You're as pretty as your mama.
And Moon is right - always such a bright smile. Wish I lived back east so I could join you all, but those of us further away will be holding you in our thoughts.0 -
Christine, thank you so much for posting the family pictures. Like others, I will always remember Michelle's smile. She always looked happy.
Laurie, I have that same mac and cheese recipe. Or at least the same method. A writer friend years ago would bring her mac and cheese to potluck meals and she wrote out the recipe for us. I have it in her handwriting and made it once. It turned out good but mac and cheese is not a dish, unfortunately, that I make on an everyday basis. Too high in fat and calories and carbs. BOO HOO.
Yesterday I had lunch at a Head Start school with my little great-niece Olivia. I was pinchhitting for my younger sister, who had to go to PT. It was fun and all the little kids were cute. Olivia's mother checked herself into a substance abuse hospital a few days ago and will be there for 28 days. She has been in and out of mental hospitals since she was twelve. It's all a very sad story and I do what I can to help out my sister when responsibility for 3 young children gets dumped on her.
I don't want to start any political discussions or debate on the ACA but medical care for mental illness is an enormous need in this country. If you take a close look at horrendous stories in the news, you'll often find mental illness.
Dinner last night was lamb patties, oven-roasted turnip slices, and warmed-up mashed potatoes. Lunch at Head Start was jambalaya, broccoli and cauliflower in a cheese sauce, mandarin orange slices, a small piece of French bread and carton of 1 percent milk. Without a straw! Kids got a straw. The food was delicious. I was amazed to see some children eating the broccoli and cauliflower but not little Olivia, my great-niece. She and her two siblings have not had the advantage of a mom like Laurie and have very limited diets. She did eat all her orange slices and mine, too, plus my little slice of bread.
Tonight's dinner will probably be home-made ravioli out of the freezer.0 -
Christine Thank You for that awesome photo. Nothing made your mom happier than her beautiful family!
Out for dinner last week and we had a pumpkin mac n cheese that was served in a smoking cast iron skillet. I think they heated it up in the pizza oven....smokey flavor with just a hint of pumpkin...sooooo good! Out for dinner last night too and I never...ever....order a burger, but for some reason felt the urge to have one. It had avocado, carmelized onions and roasted red peppers with a "boom-boom" sauce....man am I getting spoiled! Have not cooked anything exciting in awhile.0 -
Echoing more thanks, Christine for those lovely photos of your mom and family. I look forward to meeting you to celebrate her way too short life on Saturday.
Carole, I always admire your devotion to your sister's grandchildren. They are fortunate to have caring extended family to help with their needs. The Head Start lunch was impressively nutritious. Good to see that. Maybe little Olivia will expand her palate in time. I sadly agree with you about the sorry state of mental health services in this country...seems that the economics of treating mental illness just has never fit into our national business plan.
I always felt good about at least being able to do preventative mental health work in my school job....but was ultimately replaced this year by a young school psychologist person whose experience is in testing, reading assessment, etc. I ran into her recently and was horrified to learn that some of my most seriously "at risk" students were no longer being serviced at all. I actually got mad at cancer again since I'd probably still be there if I had more energy and cognitive acuity than I do on Tamoxifen. I have to let it go.......:(. This year I am volunteering in my town with the CAP (Child Assault Prevention) program, so will help school kids that way, but it isn't early the same.
Last night I made an interesting chicken sausage sauce with onions, red peppers and mushrooms, white wine, tomato paste and spices. Had it over brown rice pasta. I thought it would be like any other sausage spaghetti sauce, but was pleased that it tasted special. Had it with a spinach salad with mushroom, red onion, pecans, and apple with a balsamic dressing. Not the kind of salad that I think typically goes with a pasta dish, but I'm into fruits and nuts and greens lately....so satisfied that. Going to our church auction this evening which includes dinner....so we'll see.
I hope everyone enjoys their Saturday!0 -
Carrie, will the pumpkin infusion ever end?! So what did you detect as pumpkin in the mac and cheese....the spice? That hamburger description has me craving it ...and I also NEVER order burgers, except for lamb burgers very occasionally. You need to keep on this great restaurant jag!
Speaking of pumpkins, does anyone know if I can cook up my smaller pumpkins that have been outside for a few weeks? They look fine....but I always get nervous. Almost bought another (pure:) one at Traders yesterday, but ultimately figured it might have just as many miles on it. Please weigh in with your thoughts. Thanks!0 -
If it is not cracked open anywhere, feel free! As long as skin is unbroken it's pretty well sealed. That harder skin is on there for a reason.
My heart is with those celebrating Michelle's life today. Much love to all.0 -
Isn't Michelle's Service/Celebration on the 17th? Oh dear... can't believe I have the date wrong. :-(0 -
Susan,
No, you are not wrong on the 'official' date but today could be something for family only. I'm not on facebook so not sure.
Here's the link to Michelle's obituary http://www.anctil-rochette.com/obits/obituary.php?id=3875500 -
Christine: Thank you for those wonderful smiling photos of Michelle. When I first met her on this site she was wearing that wig in a photo and I thought it was her real hair...she looked much younger than her real age! We will all miss her so much on this site and thread. My prayers to you and your family...may you find comfort in the wonderful memories you have.0 -
Susan, you are right about her memorial date. Please let me know if you would like a ride...and you too, Lynda!
When DH and I returned from our auction event tonight we found our mail(which annoyingly now arrives around 6PM each day) and in the pile was a holiday card from Michelle. We both teared up...that lady certainly knew how to take care of earthy business before moving on. She featured many wonderful photos of herself and family enjoying their adventures together. So much pain I feel for them....
Our auction dinner was delightful, lots of passed appetizers, e.g., spanikopita, mini quiches, etc., and cheese/fruit trays. Dinner was roasted veggies, caesar salad, basmati rice, baked salmon and a chicken/pasta dish. Lots of good company, wine, laughs and high bids (we were happy that our P-town April week was again purchased by the outdoorsy family who enjoyed it last year) made it a successful event.0 -
Seaside: Thanks for posting Michelle's obituary.0 -
I've been absent from BCO for a couple of weeks because of an issue with my mom back in Indiana.
That said, I am just now reading about Michelle's passing and my heart is so heavy.
Even though I didn't know Michelle (other than from this thread) I have a Michelle story to tell.
Michelle's "get out there and just do it" attitude was part of the inspiration for a trip we took to Kauai in May - just after I finished chemo. I will always associate that somewhat unplanned trip with Michelle and it was the prospect of that trip that really helped me get through chemo. I kept thinking "if Michelle can get there during chemo I can surely make it, too!"
Strange how things turn out because we had to cancel our planned-in-advance trip to Kauai in September due to unforeseen circumstances but at least we made it in May and I have Michelle to thank for that.
I'm so sorry for her family and friends. Her light was strong and it will never diminish.0 -
I also received Michelle's Christmas card today. Brought tears to my eyes, too. Pat, I'll probably take my car to the memorial service. I'm scheduled to spend the night at my Dad's, that Saturday, and have to wait for my relief to arrive before I can leave.
For all you bakers who have a Kitchen Aid mixer: I recently bought a used one at a second hand store. I've always wanted one and I'm loving it. It's going to make my Christmas cookie baking so much easier. If you don't have a flex blade beater attachment, I highly recommend it. It eliminates the need to stop and scrap the bowl while mixing. I mixed a batch and a 1/2 of Italian cookie dough today and only scrapped the bowl after I finished mixing. Also, if you don't have a splatter shield, just take a piece of waxed paper, big enough to cover the top of the bowl, and push it onto the beater attachment post before you put the beater on. It doesn't interfere at all with the turning of the beater and eliminates the need to stop the mixer to add ingredients. Also saves you the $20+ a splatter shield costs.
I made the cookies for my cousin's surprise 60th birthday party tomorrow. They're the frosted kind with sprinkles. I had to frost them all pink, because that's her favorite "flavor." She swears they taste better than the other colors. My friend's son informed me, when he was a little boy, that he only ate the blue ones because "everyone knows the blue ones taste best." He's in his twenties and still only eats the blue ones ;0)0 -
Lynda, I love, and love to make, those cookies. But I always leave the icing white with the sprinkles. I chuckled at those favorite "flavor" comments!
Do you make them anise or lemon flavor? Or almond? I must check out the flex blade beater and try your wax paper idea (mine has a spatter shield but I find it cumbersome enough that I never use it). Enjoy the party and surprising your cousin!
In my typical tamoxifen cognitive fog, I forgot to mention why I even made that sausage/pasta dish Friday night. I was at Trader's that day and decided to buy their burrata. A friend of mine raves about it. So I served the burrata over the sausage/pasta medley and it was one of the distinguishing ingredients of that dish.0 -
Lynda, I agree with you about the beater blade. I love mine. I've given several as gifts to my cooking friends and family and am giving another this Christmas.
Dh has requested cinnamon bread, so I will be making a loaf of that today. Dinner will be Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic, roasted asparagus and yellow rice I think.
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Lacey, I will have to try the buratta my next trip. I seem to have overlooked it at TJ's (how is that possible lol?)
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Nance - would you post the recipe for the 40 garlic clove chicken? I used to make a 40 clove chicken dish years ago, but lost the recipe.
Pat - I usually make my cookies with anise flavoring and vanilla frosting, so the anise isn't too overpowering. Except when I make them for "blue boy" who only likes them all vanilla. I've wanted to make them with lemon flavoring, but could never serve them to my family. According to them, not flavoring them with anise would be sacrilegious ;0)0 -
Lynda, the recipe I use is Ina Garten's. Here's the link:
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Hauntie,
I have made your Italian cookies since you posted the recipe (last?) Christmas! They are delicious! I do some anise flavored and some almond and frost with the white frosting and colored sprinkles. Funny on the different 'taste' to the different colors...lol! I guess it's true that we eat with our eyes, first..lol!
Nancy,
I have heard of that Chicken before but haven't ever tried it. Does it come out super garlicky or is it a subtle flavor?
Lacey,
Your auction dinner sounds like it wa awesome!! And my new thing learned today is what buratta is! Sounds yummy!
Lee,
I liked your story about Michelle! I seem to remember that her first Hawaii trip ended earlier than planned (maybe her Mom?) and that's why they went back again! She sure did have a spirit! Rather than say, 'How can I do that?' her question seemed to be 'How can I NOT?'
I have been suffering from 'coldzilla' since Thursday and don't feel much like eating much less cooking
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Seaside- I hope you feel better and I hope someone makes you soup:)
Lunch with DS1 at school was very sweet. He was very excited to have us there and it was very funny to watch all of the kids. The food was awful though!! LOL! Yesterday we went to our friends house for a sleep over. This is one of the families that we camp with all summer- God Parents to our boys. As always we had a blast! We are going to Florida for 12 days over Thanksgiving to visit with DH's Mom and family and we have a friend who really wants to watch our dog for us. So we did a trial run last night and had our dog stay with them and it went great! I think our dog might even like it better there than here! They have two girls the same ages as our boys and they are all in love with our dog Eli. So yay!
I have no idea what dinner will be tonight, I need to hit the grocery store tomorrow. I can't put it off any longer!
Also, I too got a card from Michelle. So sweet and so sad.0 -
Seaside, I don't think it's super garlicky, but I admit, I'm a garlic lover. I think it's pretty mellow, you definitely know it's garlic but it's not overpowering by any means. It smells divine! I'm sure it would kill coldzilla ;-)
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laurie - where will you be in FL?0 -
Special K- I will be in Naples.
where are you at?0 -
Nancy,
If it kills off coldzilla, I'm in!!!
Haven't been sick for real in 4 years but this one has just taken me out! DS kicked it off the weekend before this and wound up with a monster ear infection! Been lucky thus far in that, knock wood, for me it's just been the usual sneezing, coughing, aches and pains but not walk-in worthy yet! Now hoping this crap ends with me and DH or visiting DD don't get it!0 -
Christine- Love the Pictures of your beautiful mom and family, she always looked so happy.
Seaside- I also am very sick too, one of the worst flu's I have had, it just knocked me on my butt. We are twins ya know ha ha! About the only thing I can eat and that is pushing it is top romin with some craclers. Yesterday was my dads birthday and I knew it was going to be a really rough day but I was too sick to even cry, all I did was sleep. so I guess that's a good thing, Hope you get better soon.
Kay- Glad you got in your new place, I saw some of the pictures on FB it looks really cute. Are you still doing the eye shots? I hope you are done with them.
Kay, there was something I was going to say to you but forgot ha! so I will just say hi to you and everyone else I missed.0 -
hi Debbie sorry your are not feeling well. Seaside sorry about you too. It that time of year. I always used to get sick at Christmas time. My daughter always managed to get sick on Halloween trick or treat day. No matter the date! And I mean sick like 102 for a fever. That happened about 5 years in a row. One year she begged to go and came back after only 20 min. Poor kid. But then at about 10 she didn't do that anymore. Weird!
Dinner was leftover crab. We went to Red Lobster when my daughter went to pick up her wedding dress which is now too big. She will wait and see if she loses more before getting fitted. Wedding is in May. So a bit of time. But we got the crab feast. It had like almost a whole crab or rather 2 halves, scallops, and shrimp in butter garlic sauce. Well I ate the six shrimp and all the bay scallops and a salad and half the crab. Yum. But I had potatoes and the other half to eat today. Still pretty good. And of course the time it takes to peel and find all the crab that's hiding makes you feel full! LOL.0 -
Debbie,
Yep we are twins (triplets, cuz Lacey's a fellow June 12th girl, too)! I'm not normally one to complain when sick but.... geez... This one is knocking me for a loop! The simplest things are making me feel so much worse and leaving me just exhausted.
Your Dad's birthday this year I'm sure was really rough. Sorry that you are feeling so sick on top of it! Hope you feel better soon, too.
Hugs...0 -
laurie - I am in Tampa, so a straight shot north of you up I-75, about 150 miles. I have lived here since '06 and have never been to Naples. I will be around except for Dec. 9-11 (I have to go to Washington, D.C. for a vaccine booster) so maybe I should put the top down (on the car, lol!) and take a road trip to come see you!0 -
I'm sorry to hear that everyone has been sick. DD was down Monday through Thursday of last week with the "feel bad", cough, nausea and slight fever crud. She's still coughing a bit, but is much better. Once she started to get over "it", she rapidly got better. I hope everyone else gets over it as quickly.
Last night I made a double batch of the chicken-rice salad that DD likes ...Sharon and I each had a small serving for supper and that was it. Sharon went to get some for today's lunch and it was gone. When Sharon asked about it, before I even had a chance to say "not me", DD giggled. :-) I'm kind of amused by it all as the left overs completely filled 2 one gallon sized food storage containers.
The Jasmine rice bag has a mint/rice/beef recipe that sounds vaguely Thai like. I may try that tomorrow. The other thing I might do is some English muffins. I haven't baked anything in a couple of weeks.
Today was more manual transmission practice driving for DD.. She's getting better--she still stalls the car sometimes, but she's not giving me whiplash anymore.0
