So...whats for dinner?

So, back the sister.... last year, she asked for, and received an immersion blender for making soups. Like me, she is a big soup person. Her needs are a bit more complicated thought. She is a strict vegetarian, and since her chemo, she is lactose intolerant. The immersion blender gives her the "creamy" texture without the cream. This year's gift is a pair of Vegetarian Soup cookbooks, both highly reviewed.

Tonight's dinner was the polar opposite of last nights'. I had purchased some smoked sausage called Debrecener: Hungarian Paprika Sausage. This was a total "whim" purchase. So Dr. Google had a hard time finding any recipe that specifically called for this sausage. Eventually I found something called Lecsó; a Hungarian ratatouille of sorts. I purchased some Italian peppers which sadly tasted like bell peppers. I hate bell peppers. Anyhow, I sautéed the onions, tomatoes, peppers and then added the sausages. This recipe claims that it is traditionally served with crusty bread. This dinner had no lightness. Nothing exciting. Just the same flavor over and over. Heavy. Sorry if some of you are Hungarian, but Eastern European food always seems dull and heavy. There is plenty leftover and I am hungry. Just couldn't eat much of this at all.

*susan*

The Christmas concert was wonderful.  Afterwards we went with our friends to Café Lynn to enjoy an early dinner.  A friend had eaten there recently and raved about the food.  The restaurant has recently moved and is located in a roomier place.  I had the crab cake appetizer and a small oyster salad.  The latter is mixed greens dressed with blue-cheese dressing and fried oysters ringed around the edges.  There were seven large oysters.  They were cooked perfectly.  I had some extra dressing for dipping.  I gave dh two of the oysters and he gave me a large grilled shrimp.  He had a small gumbo and the shrimp remoulade salad.  His shrimp were delicious.  He said the remoulade sauce could have been a bit spicier.  I enjoyed the meal.  And enjoyed two glasses of wine. 

I wish one of you moms who raised sons could accompany me to Walmart today.  I volunteered to buy some Christmas presents for 4 little boys who are being raised by their grandpa.  He has a job but doesn't have $$ for Santa Claus.  I don't know the story but the children must have been recently abandoned by the parent/s.  Their ages are 8, 6, 3, 3 mos.  I don't have a clue about age specific toys but I'll just read on the boxes.  Can't buy clothes since I don't know the sizes.  The plea for help came from a friend on Facebook who is involved in a ministry that helps people in need.  I have mixed feelings about the Santa Claus myth.

Not sure what's for dinner.  My immediate thought is for breakfast! 

Carole, that lunch sounded wonderful. Mouth watering here...

Like the myth or not, you are Santa Claus for these little guys! They are lucky to have your support. You do that well given practice with your great nephews/ nieces. Not so sure how helpful I can be, but given their history, it occurs to me that toys that they can "create" with (so they are in a sense "in control" of something, after what clearly was a trauma).... like legos, gear type toys, etc: and a sturdy container to keep them in, so they can learn and create order in their young lives. Basic board games for the older guys, too. Stuffed animals or characters to cuddle with might be soothing for any of these guys. And, of course, picture books...maybe early chapter books for the 8yr old? Hard to recommend sports equipment w/o knowing their play space. Sports cap for older ones might be nice with local team logos.

Ipad acting up....off I go.....

Okay, Ipad took a long nap so I can finish my comments about the four boys' gifts....

My concern about the art stuff would be the range in ages, and the 1)frustration the older boys might have in not being able to use their art materials w/o being intruded upon by the little ones, and 2) of course the safety factor of using art supplies around the little ones. After spending Saturay afternoon with the grands and their new toys, I feel totally in touch with encroachment and safety issues. LOL! I guess the level of supervision is what is important when thinking about what these guys can safely and enjoyably have. But, you obviously have no way to know that...but a safe assumption might be that things are lively....thus items that can be put out of reach and used when the little ones are napping. Lord love that grandfather....and this year's "santa".

We ar defintely

iPad assistance here! Have you rebooted? That often solves all types of glitches. And of course, a darn good back up before resetting to factory settings and starting over. Or maybe what you really want is a new iPad to celebrate the New Year, in which case, Mr. 02143 loves his Air, perhaps more than me, but not more than the meals we enjoy.

Tonight was the last lamb chop from last year's lamb, roasted potatoes with a gremolata and a large salad filled with three kinds of lettuce, roasted asparagus, and carrots. I made a mustard vinaigrette since I love mustard with lamb. Next two nights I am responsible for feeding the whole family. Planning on roasted salmon tomorrow, and then to celebrate the END OF THE SEMESTER, some kind of fried chicken on Wednesday. Thursday is treatment day so someone else gets to make me dinner. I never have meals planned this far in advance, but with the increasing anxiety of the drivers as we get closer to Christmas, I am planning trips to my markets carefully. As few as possible!

*susan*

I enjoyed my shopping in the toy dept. at Walmart's.  People are so nice and helpful.  There were two Walmart employees hard at work who took the time to tell me what was popular with children of the different ages in this family.  Plus there was a grandma shopping for her 8 yr. old grandson and a few other shoppers with advice.  Later when I visited Facebook I learned about the response from other people who were glad to help Santa visit this home with a full bag of presents.  The children will have a good Christmas as far as presents are concerned. 

Now if I can just start feeling better physically.  I always say that it's good to experience being "under the weather" occasionally just so you appreciate normal good health.  But I'm ready to go back to the "normal good health" stage!  I've had enough coughing and using up boxes of Kleenex and talking with a hoarse voice.  Whatever I have caught is going around. 

Carol I hope you feel better soon.

Lacey, Hoping this window "adventure" will end soon. Great idea on the disguise!

Luv, laughing at your " flavored ketchup and some jarred Sofrito" My kind of cook

Have been feeling so tired lately. Maybe it's the cold, but I can spend the whole day in bed. Today got up at 10, went back to sleep at 2 and slept until 5. Was ready for bed at 9. Maybe it's just getting over working. Ordered Pho. What else? I am so in love with it. Mother Hubbard has nothing in the cupboard. Thank goodness I only have two cats. Dog would be unhappy.

Best wishes to all.

Had most the leftover meatball soup tonight. Not so much soup as the macaroni has absorbed much of the liquid. Now more stew consistency. I have a small bowl left for lunch tomorrow. DH had a can of Campbells rigatoni/sausage soup for lunch and pronounced mine much better.

I have about gathered everything for the black eyed pea stew. Bought the all important peas today along with one precious leek. I think this may be Friday or maybe tomorrow. I also have a pkg of pork chops but I think they can stay in refrig until Thursday.

Has anyone tried to grind up cardamom pods? Looking online I actually have the seeds, not the complete pod. I bought these last year to make hot chocolate chai and never did. Now I want to make coconut rice for Saturday night. I do have an ancient elec. coffee grinder and know that is a recommended route. Don't think I have the arm strength for mortar/pestle.

I ended up not going with DH into town this am. I think between Albertsons/WallyWorld I should be able to find what I need for Satuday's Mexican cooking. Good thing is nobody will call me out if it not really "Mexican" like my coconut rice. Still not sure if DD is coming Christmas or instead on New Years so not making any food plans yet for that.

Hope assorted illnesses are on the resolving end. I keep sniffling but so far nothing else. May just be allergies. I need to go back to taking my Claritin.

Susan I order it at the Cambodian restaurant. Have I been mislead? It doesn't taste like meat, which tastes funny to me

Thanks Susan. I wonder why they list things under. Beef, chicken, seafood and vegetable. Oh well it was good! I will try your recipe!

Got the urge to make that faux french bread today, so made it for dinner and used it for sandwiches. Used leftover chicken, arugula, red onion, tomatoes with whole grain mustard blended with a bit of mayo. They were so delicious....possibly because the bread was so fresh, but also because I find arugula to dress up a sandwich like nothing else. We had kale soup on the side.

Last evening I got all my pizzelle dough made, and also made a few dozen choc chips since I wanted to have something concrete (hope they weren't!) to give to an elderly neighbor. I had not planned to make anything but pizzelles this year, but as usual I keep seeing favorite recipes I want to make.

Need to get off this damn machine.....doing a Pac Man thing after I type....grrrrrrrr

As I mentioned before, I offered to cook a celebration dinner for my daughter on the occasion of her last day of the Fall Semester. I gave her a choice of fried chicken with biscuits or chicken fingers with fries. Silly girl stated that biscuits are for breakfast and opted for the fries. Clearly I moved her out of the South too young. Anyhow, that is what I made, along with a cole slaw since I wanted a vegetable. Today was a hospital day. My new nurse was great, and I might request her as my permanent nurse.

We ordered a ton of pizza for dinner and used the family time to dress up our tree. There are twinkly white lights, and lots of ornaments. This summer, we took all my parent's ornaments that had been ruined by the raccoons out of the barn. Rather sweet to have so many things on our tree that represent my childhood, and Lauren's.

Even though I don't cook on treatment day, there were four chicken thighs that just had to be trimmed. I made up a satay marinade paste, cleaned up the chicken and they are now in the freezer ready for grilling. Even when I feel like crap, I can't stand the idea of wasted food.

When do I start to hear about Christmas menus? Still working on mine.

*susan*

Hello all - just back from DC - had a nice dinner with my son - we ordered the same thing at the restaurant we went to - steak frites.  Very good, done with hanger steak and skin-on fries.  Had a nice field greens salad with champagne vinaigrette.  The rest of what I ate was unremarkable while there other than a nice carry-out box of assorted fresh fruit and salads from Whole Foods that I ate while at the vaccine booster appt.  I have to sit for an hour and have vitals taken every 15 minutes, and had flown up that morning, so I was famished!  I met a lovely person also having her booster, so we chatted between vital sign taking.

Last night I threw together a shrimp, broccoli and carrot stir fry over brown rice for DH, but didn't have any - I was really tired after flying home.  I went to bed early and slept in late this morning.  I had my every six month MO appt this afternoon - took everyone at the office (about 20 people) a bag of caramel corn with smoked almonds and cashews that I made this morning, and gave that - plus a tin of BBQ rub that I concocted to my MO - he is a BBQ fan.  I have been having some hip pain, so they ordered a lumbar and bi-lat hip MRI and a DEXA.  I do have degenerated disks, that I have had for years, so they want to look at that, plus I get Prolia injections so they want to look also at the density and for vascular irregularities that can be caused by Prolia, that can cause hip pain.  Tonight I sautéed some salmon patties and made whiskey and brown sugar glazed carrots.  Also made DH a salad with romaine, parmesan and some peppered salami slices, dressed with olive oil and vinegar.  I didn't eat much though - not much of an appetite.  After dinner I made some pecan bars and small loaves of pumpkin bread with chocolate chips and walnuts for the folks in DH's front office.  Tomorrow morning I am going to try a recipe for citrus and dried cranberry cookies that uses brown rice flour and coconut flour and no sugar, honey instead.  I am curious about them, but also want to make them and give them (if they are good!) to a friend who is doing the same eating plan that I am.  I am making her a tea related basket and wanted to include some cookies, so this will be experimental.

susan - my tree has some ornaments that were on my tree when I was little and also from DH's - I love those ornaments and their history!  I am glad you had a nice pizza/tree decorating time!  Glad you have a good new nurse too!

eric - you sound like you have some things to do - will you have a chance to relax a bit while you are off work?

Oh minus, that's a crappy present. Hope you can get them fixed asap.

Geez SK, you certainly hit the home ground running!

Tomorrow is my relaxing day.

At least it's more relaxing than your day, Minus. Yikes. I'd be eating the good stuff too. Yellow Jello and such...blahhh :-) I had a molar pulled out a few years back and within a couple of days I could (carefully) eat whatever I wanted. Are they doing tooth implants?

There is no Christmas menu here either. My brother is getting in from China on Christmas Eve. His in-laws are about 45 minutes from here and we (mom and MIL too) are going over there for Christmas. He hasn't been here in quite awhile and it will be good to have the family together again, if only for a few days--he heads back the morning of 27 Dec.

Special...glad things went well up in DC. Question though. Your making whiskey and brown sugar glazed carrots..... Is that one thing with two ingredients or two different things? :-)

Sharon and I both have childhood ornaments on the Christmas tree. DD also has some that she made in kindergarten, so she can have some memory ornaments too. There are a few from when Sharon and I were dating/engaged and one that Mickey gave me.

Susan, it sure does sound like you left the South too soon...biscuits go well with all meals and are much preferred to fries......silly girl, indeed. :-)

I will be working on a biscuit recipe that is entitled "Aunt Hattie's biscuits". She was my aunt...born in 1898 in rural Kentucky, so these should be relatively authentic. It is more of a reminder note than a recipe, which is why I say "working on". Fortunately biscuits aren't that complicated, so it shouldn't take years to figure out. The paper was found in a cook book of my mom's.