So...whats for dinner?
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Susan - cold here this morning too - relatively. Down to 56. Your meatballs looked delicious. Hope the atty meeting goes well.
Special - when my son was a junior in HS, I came home from work one day to find DH and DS standing with sledge hammers in what used to be my kitchen, covered in plaster dust and all the walls gone. DS said - hey mom, you wanted a new kitchen. I wished I'd stopped after work for a drink first - what a shock. Construction is never easy.
Eric - no way to cook? I can't imagine how you'll last for 2 weeks. But we thank you for your service!!!
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mysunshine - I would buy the potatoes organic - they are part of the Dirty Dozen. Bananas - you could go either way, but if you can find some organic ones that are affordable, I would do that.
minus - Eeeks on the kitchen demo!
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Wow! Lots going on. Happy Belated to Susan and Specialk. And keeping fingers crossed that the real estate deals go through.
Back home from my trip. We hit 9 states. I'd only been in 3 before. Saw Garden of the Gods, Cave of the Winds, Grand Canyon and more. Lots of color during the trip. But parts were just starting.
My sister and I are still talking to each other which I think is pretty good after 5,000 miles of car tripping. LOL although on the last day of travel she complained about my breathing like the world was ending. LOL. I told her I wasn't about o quit breathing for her. LOL
Glad to be home, I think my cats are happy too.
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Many here have donated . Thank you !........Wandering around and cheerleading again
Donate today, make a difference directly in all our lives. By supporting BCO, we support each other. Thanks and Hugs
https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/110/topic/834331?page=1
Link to the mainboard donation page
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Thanks for the reminder, Sas! I should also mention that many businesses have charity committees that are looking for new ideas of deserving organizations to support. Two years ago, my DS2, who is on such a committee, submitted BC.org, knowing from me the important work it does, and was able to direct a sizeable donation to this great org! So there are corporate opportunities to access (through relatives who might be connected)along with our own personal donations.
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Minus, 56 degrees here this morning, too, but 80 degrees now.
Welcome home, Moon! Glad to hear that your trip was fun. It's great to explore states never visited before.
Ribeye for dinner tonight with a salad and a potato for dh if he wants one.
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moon - great pics, pretty wedding! I giggled looking at the bridesmaids - they are all looking at their shoes, or something on the ground.
Day 1 of the outdoor kitchen - fairly uneventful - the contractor poured the concrete for the cabinets to sit on that will be clad in the stacked stone. They have to cure for a couple of days, and meantime he is pouring slabs in an alternate location for the rest of the structure. Day 2 will not occur until Thursday. I did take a "before" pic, but I will wait to post it until there is more progress. Tomorrow is electrician work on the light fixtures. I ordered one for over the sink to coordinate with the others in the kitchen - apparently I missed the size of the alabaster glass shade - I unpacked it last night and it was huge! Looked like a flying saucer! So I returned it today and got a much smaller and appropriate one. Eeesh!
On the plus side - we have passed the deadline for the buyer of the condo to back out without losing $13.5K, so I think it is going to go through this time - they have been approved by the country club, so all seems well. They do not want the furniture, so we will have to go over and arrange for it to be out in the next week or so, and the closing is on Nov. 2 - yay!
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specialK…congrats on the sale of your condo hope all goes well! Your outdoor kitchen sounds fabulous, I can't wait to see pictures.
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What a lovely trip, Moon, and thanks for sharing the photos! Loved the wedding setting! Maybe the bridesmaids are keeping a careful watch for any errant snakes?!
Special, I am impressed with how quickly your contractor has gotten started. That would be rare here... I know it will be a great relief to get that condo settled.
We just had an email from DS2 that he and DGF may be bidding on a condo they saw today....farther IN the inner city! Oy! So many ofmhis Southie friends are moving to the same area. He is seeming desperate to get a bit larger place that includes private parking, before the snow season is upon us! I have some questions about this condo, but nothing so important that I need to impose my opinion, so will keep my mouth shut. The price (still outrageous) is at least within their comfortable range. So we will see.
I spent most of the day in bed....just feeling lousy. I hope it is not the recent viral infection hanging on. I have absolutely NO energy, a mild sore throat, and some congestion that I don't think I can pin on allergies. Annoying!
DH is in Cambridge, so I am eating leftover mushroom flatbread from our dinner out last night...We had stopped for dinner on the way home from the gym, since I was wiped out after only participating in our stretching class. I had a kale and cranberry salad and mushroom flatbread, which was good, if a bit too oily. Had I been at home, it would have been patted down with paper towels. Tonight that happened to the leftovers. Much better!
Still craving some protein with some sweet, I just downed a slice of wheat bread with peanut butter and Bonne Maman wild blueberry preserves. Sort of a pbj open faced dessert after flatbread.
Now I am full and just need to get some energy back!
Eric, keep us posted on how you are faring for your meals...
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Great pictures Monica, sounds like a great trip!
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Baked spaghetti squash with homegrown tomatoes & basil, olive oil, salt & pepper.
Duck leg confit (okay, so I nuked it from frozen).
Pan-seared brussels sprouts.
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I moved hotels. I called over to the "other place" and they had a room at the same rate as my original hotel, so I moved to the hotel that I stayed at before.. I did a quick trip to Walmart and I can cook. It's nothing fancy as there isn't much room and it's certainly not organic, but it is *way* better than eating out every meal for 2 weeks.
An onion, a bell pepper, a couple of tomatoes, a couple of loose carrots, a head of lettuce and a tiny bottle of balsamic vinegar for dressing. Add to that some spaghetti sauce (in a jar...oh well),plus some spaghetti, a half pound of hamburger, 1/4 pound of flank steak and some corn tortillas...no cheese though..all I could find was the big 2 pound bags and I didn't want to toss out food at the end of the stay.
Congrats from me too, Special. It would have to be a real disaster for them to back out and lose the $13,500 deposit. I'd be pretty confident that all is going to go well, even if not as fast as one would like. The outdoor kitchen sounds like it's coming along...The UPS facility in Phoenix is also in a "not good for Children" neighborhood. I guess getting the place in a somewhat central location in a city that also doesn't mind the large amount of traffic generated by the facility....kind of limits their location choices.
I saw the wedding picture on my smartphone and I didn't notice the bride's maids gazes until you pointed it out and I saw it on "the big screen" of my laptop. Sharon, I (and DD too) get a laugh over our wedding video. It was a full Catholic mass. so we sat "up front" for quite a bit. The chair Sharon was sitting in was just slightly too tall and just about the entire mass, Sharon was swinging her feet back and forth.
Susan, I won't be making meatballs here, but it sure sounds good....maybe when I get home. It sounds like your property buying process is moving "not as fast as you'd like" as well.
Hi mysunshine. Cheese....I know there's lots of good (tasting) cheese....healthy...I don't know! :-)
I had to stop to take a phone call. The home health nurse that lives next door to, and takes care of, mom just called. This morning they noticed the start of a rash and by mid day, felt it looked like shingles. So off to the doctor. It was the singles, but the doctor felt (hoped) that it would be mild since the outbreak was only hours old before treatment was started. I hope it is mild. Sharon had it and, even though treatment started within 12 hours of the start of the rash, she was still "unhappy".
And for good news. The older "test daughter" lives only about 20 minutes from work. So, I got to see her yesterday evening. I smile every time I think of the transition of her from very young child to grown up adult (now 40 years old). She and her sister gave DD the gift of a somewhat practiced father. :-)
And hi to everyone I forgot. I'm in that "I'm not quite used to the time change, but getting there, 'tired' phase."
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Moon, what fabulous pictures! I am so glad that you enjoyed your trip. I hope you have the time and/or energy to tell us more details. I am traveling vicariously these days.
Lacey, I am so sorry that you are still working your way to health again. Maybe a day or two really taking is slowly will be good for you body. Should I carry some chicken stock to you? Our P&S is suddenly in panic mode, but once I hand off the check I could get in the car. Or maybe, you would prefer an already made soup? Good luck to DS2 and the DS2GF. Willing to tell us which neighborhood?
SpecialK, this deal might actually happen! Whahooo! I spent the most painful two hours with our lawyer today. Paragraph by paragraph, sentence by sentence. We have to review the Trust, Deed, and P&S. Since this is a new condo conversion with only two units, this extra work is in our best interest. I am impressed that Mr. Concrete actually showed up on the promised day. As Lacey indicated above, contractors are really hard to pin down around here.
Carole, how was that ribeye? One of my favorite cuts, when I am in a beef-kind of mood.
Welcome Chi. Not sure I remember you posting here before [but my memory isn't what it used to be.] I am amazed that you are still getting homegrown tomatoes. Ours are done for the season.
After our arduous lawyer meeting, the two of us went to Harvest for lunch. This place used to have the very best burger I have had that we didn't make. Mr 02143 ordered the burger, which sadly arrived overcooked and much less impressive than before the chef change. I ordered a buttermilk fried chicken sandwich with a bunch of sauce kind of things. Like most of the restaurant, I didn't eat the bread. [So funny to see all these well-dressed people eating sandwiches in pieces. No top there, no top or bottom there, all using a knife and fork.] My sandwich was actually delicious. Both sandwiches came with a huge number of fries, presented in the cutest All-Clad croquette. I need several for MY kitchen. Anyhow, by the time we got home, dealt with clients, had our respective naps, it was almost 6pm. Neither one of us was even remotely hungry, so no dinner was made. I had to eat a bit of cottage cheese in order to take my pills. He just made some toast from this week's oatmeal bread. Tomorrow? Who knows just yet.
*susan*
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Eric - great to hear from you & glad you were able to move hotels. Now we just have to hope that your time there stays uneventful. Sorry to hear about your Mom. I finally got my shingles shot last week.
Moon - thanks for sharing the wedding pictures. What fun.
Lacey - sorry you're under the weather. Seems like everyone here has drainage & a scratchy throat. Those that don't have tummy upsets. Interesting about your DS2 looking to move. My DS just sold his house in the suburbs Marin County and is moving back into San Francisco. In fact moving day was today. It will make his commute 1-1/2 hours less each way - quite significant. Also since they are not having children, it will give them a better chance to enjoy like minded friends than being on a cul-de-sac when all the other houses have 3+ young kids. But the downsizing is significant - from 3 bedroom/2 bath w/2 fireplaces & a pool down to two bedroom/one bath. I've already been advised that I'll be staying in a near-by motel when I visit.
Special - I'm so glad it looks like the closing on the condo will be accomplished. What will you do w/all the furniture? Is there some stuff you could save for your kiddos? And I too am amazed at the speed of the construction start on the outdoor kitchen.
Susan - did you go hash things out with the atty about the sale/purchase?
We were supposed to go across town to a British Pub for lunch & have Shepherd's Pie, but our driver (the one husband among 4 of us ladies who play dominoes together once a month) got held up. We ended up eating at a steam table/cafe. Everyone liked it but me, but they I'm not a big fan of most fried foods (fried catfish, fried meat patty, meatloaf covered w/ketsup, etc.) I had the veggie plate, but this is Texas so that meant pork & beans, collard greens, mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, fried zucchini, cooked carrots w/sugar, etc. And huge slabs of mostly cold corn bread. I did have a good serving of grated carrot & raisin salad w/pineapple. Dinner tonight will be popcorn w/lots of butter.
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We were fortunate that the outdoor kitchen contractor was just finishing one job and can't start a big job at another home because he is waiting for the pool to be finished, so we had good timing. It seems, at least so far, that this is done in bits and pieces until he starts with the stacked stone cladding and granite tops, and install of the sink and fridge. We are having a large party here on Nov. 14th, so it is also good to have a deadline that he is working against. DH built the grill tonight - it is impressive! It has taken him several hours.
minus - the condo furniture actually belongs to a friend of our friend whose condo this was - he left it to them, they selected a few items they could use but didn't want the rest and had graciously left it in place for staging purposes, and it was for sale with the condo for an extra price. Apparently a lot of snowbird Canadians have condos at this country club and selling the furniture with the condo is done often. These folks didn't feel like it was their taste, so they are starting fresh. I believe that the people who actually own the furniture know of a second hand dealer that will buy the lot. I have a lot of other staging stuff - lamps, framed photos, dishes/stemware, linens, etc. that we need to go gather up before the condo is emptied, but I am up for a road trip - it is about a 3.5 hour drive.
susan - so glad our shared real estate karma is still going strong! Yay!
eric - so glad you had a visit with your "test" DD! Sorry about mom and the shingles - always something, right?
chi - glad there is another in the brussels sprouts club!
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I LOVE Brussels sprouts - and my parents couldn't have paid me any amount of money to eat them when I was a kid, To be fair, when I was a kid, vegetables were canned. Nobody even had frozen for a good portion of my childhood.
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i never noticed the brides maids gazes til you mentioned it SK. LOL but if you look closely ONE of them is looking up dreamily. LOL there was a bit of wind and I think they were getting hit by pine cones! LOL.
Supper tonight was oatmeal. I was lazy. It was our anniversary but my DH is working an outage and 12 hour days are not conducive to dinners out. He did send flowers. He won't be home this weekend either as he needs to go and settle his sisters affairs in Montana. He needs to bring back special things and sell or give away the rest. He'll be there at east a week. He didn't do it right after her funeral as they needed all the paperwork completed.
On my trip the grand canyon was beautiful. It rained the night before so everything was bright. Not too man y people. We saw a herd of elk in a subdivision. At Cave of the Winds you needed to watch out for wildlife.....
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I found the All Clad ramekin! But, since I am not truly sure I would actually use these, the price might be a bit too steep for me. I could use them for shepard's pie, or even individual onion soups, or any number of sliced/baked potato recipes. If I can come up with enough ideas on how I would use them, I might be able to talk myself into it. Aren't they cute though?
http://www.surlatable.com/product/PRO-196321/?affs...
*susan*
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Yup the really are cute. And looks like they are on sale!!!
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Nance, Why yes they are.... and less expensive and a 20% coupon discount. Oh the temptation! *susan*
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Susan, get 'em.
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Warm here in Central IL---car is at the dealership for a 400 door lock repair.....They are picking me up at 12:45 to get the car and I have to take it back tomorrow a.m. for the work to be done--part has to come from Indy. They PROMISE it will be done before noon so I can take my Dad to his dr. appointment....
Yesterday I had a apt in Urbana to see my dermatologist. Had a funny red spot on my shoulder that has itched for 2 months, so I knew it wasn't a bug bite. She gave me an antibiotic cream to apply t2x a day for 3 weeks and if it isn't gone when I go back in Dec for all over skin check, she will biopsy it.
The good part of the drive was my friend who went with me. We hit a BIGLOTS store, a TJMAXX, and a THRIFT Store--I was looking for a cheap wine rack that would hold several bottles for my tiny kitchen--under the cabinets. Ended up with a three bottle one really cheap at the Thrift store. Came home and it is about 3 inches too tall to fit under the microwave shelf...DAMN---Now I am rethinking my counter top layout. I wonder if a welder could cut off the top of it.....(Nothing like expensive wine stored in a cheap rack.....) I don't know what I was thinking purchasing this much wine....
We stopped at Panera for a late lunch . I had the new Turkey Cranberry Flatbread with a cup of Cream of Chicken Wild rice soup. The sandwich was really good. Jaci had the greek salad, and it was good too.
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Moon, I have never been to the Grand Canyon. Did you stay with friends or at a hotel? It is on my bucket list I think Amtrak has a train that goes there. Also want to see Niagara falls. Have seen both from the window of a 747......need a closer view.....
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Susan buy them. You'll use them. They are so cute! I bet the little kids would use them too as they look like the big version.
Redhead, we stayed the night before at a hotel. Then we drove down to Phoenix to stay at my Nephew's house befire heading west on Hwy 10 to Palm Spring to see my brother.
We used to live in Rochester, NY. Niagara Falls is beautiful all year, even frozen.
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I've succumbed to the "crud" that has been afflicting dh. Sneezing and blowing my nose. Sore throat from sinus drip, congested sinuses. How can one be congested and yet be reaching for tissues?
Eric, glad you were able to switch hotels.
Yay on the real estate deals going through.
Susan, the rib eye was melt-in-your-mouth delicious. DH is such a good guy to man the grill. We seldom ever eat steak in a restaurant.
Tonight he is having shrimp with pasta and I will have shrimp with a good salad. The shrimp are thawed. I have to muster energy to peel and devein them and possibly butterfly them, too, because they are large. The plan is to sauté them in butter and olive oil. Flavors added will be fresh garlic, grated lemon peel and fresh lemon juice. A sprinkling of cayenne along with s & p.
On my list for tomorrow is cooking the nice eggplants (purchased at the farmers' mkt.) that are in the outside refrigerator. Two will be included in an eggplant parmesan type of dish and one will feature in my first time to make .... there goes the brain again. The mezze dish Susan eats with lettuce leaves.
We've spoken to the meat processor who is cutting up the half pig we're buying from a MN farmer/friend. I was half tempted to take the "trotters" but declined. Also declined the liver. The frozen pork will travel to the Houston area and we will drive there and get it.
Lacey, hope you are feeling better.
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AGH Went to the store for 1/2 gallon of milk and 62.00 later I am home.
Dinner tonight is Manwich with chips, potato salad, sliced tomatoes.
Susan, they had lamb shanks so I bought some---I want to do that lamb shanks with the beans dish you gave me the recipe for----but I think when you make it, you do it IN THE OVEN/ Can you tell me what temp and about how long? I did it on top of the stove and I felt like I had to hang out with it all day......
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Red,
I do all the browning on the stovetop, taking as much time as needed to brown the meat and then sweat the veggies. I do this in the dutch oven I will be cooking with so no extra pans. Then in the oven at 325º. If you have some parchment paper, cut one to fit on top of the braise so that you get a really tight fit with the cover, and then stick it into the oven with the cover. Then you can reduce the amount of water and get a richer and even more delicious sauce. Rule is generally, about 2/3 of the way up the meat. Shanks, depending on size, should take about 2.5 hrs. I don't think you can really overcook. Without the parchment, you should check that your liquids have not evaporated too much.
*susan*
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Carole - any chance we could meet for breakfast/lunch/dinner when you come to pick up the pig? I know Houston is a big area, but if I don't have a doc appointment, I'm willing to drive some. Do you know where or have a schedule yet?
Oh, meant to say sorry you have the crud. Bourbon & honey.
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carole - you and lacey need to feel better asap!
OK - crazy real estate story coming - today I was home with the electrician moving all the light fixtures around, and adding the new ones. I got new bulbs for the dining room fixture, DH said to get 60w, but when we added up the collective wattage it exceeded the dimmer switch, so I went and got 40w on one of my FIVE trips to the home improvement store today. Same story with the kitchen - we have a new chandelier there so we added wattage, but will get a new dimmer with more capability so as not to have a fire. We learned that the condo buyers do not want the furniture, and so the elderly couple who actually own the furniture came over to swap out a couple of lamps, so that when the used furniture guy comes he will take their old ones. Well, they plugged their old one in to the outlet in our condo - IT CAUGHT ON FIRE!!! Fortunately, the RE agent was there with them and put the fire out - no damage except to the lamp! OMG! These folks keep asking for their own key to this condo and we keep saying no, can y'all see why??? Thank goodness for the quick thinking agent otherwise I would be crying right now. We just need to go another 11 days until the closing, please....... These same folks forgot that my personal items are in the condo for staging and would have tried to sell those too, and they wanted to take the window coverings, um, no - they are part of the house - we are going over on Friday to get our stuff out and supervise the used furniture guy's appraisal. Wish us luck, lol!
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