So...whats for dinner?
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Carole, happy birthday—Eric & Nance, mazel tov on your anniversaries.
Didn't make the paella last night—Bob had already eaten by the time I returned from temple (where I had hors d'oeuvres) so I just had a tuna salad sandwich. Had planned to cook it tonight—but my singing partner came down from Madison to see a concert in Skokie by a mutual friend (it was broadcast on WFMT's "Folkstage"); afterward we hung out with a couple we knew from Madison who live here now. I offered to make the paella, but he's allergic to shrimp (the main ingredient) so I put out antipasto & bread. (Bob had soup and sandwich earlier). My singing partner is staying with us overnight rather than going back to Madison, because he has a meeting down here tomorrow with said mutual friend. We'll see when that meeting will be—might do brunch first.
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Happy celebrations to all…b-day, anniversary, etc. My 18 year cancerversary is coming up next month, our wedding anniversary (32 years) on Bastille day (so I'd remember).
Illimae, good to see you (and your food porn pix, LOL)
Carole, glad to hear your DH's jaw pain has dealt with.
Thank you all for your empathy on my DH and the horror of our neighbors. DH's kidney function may prevent him from getting Pluvicto; his calcium is rising again so he needs another denausumab shot; he gashed his hand in the car, stressed from when the neighbor stalked him to the mailboxes, then came up with one foot on our property, screaming at us. Now the idiot is using a strobe light into our home because he wants me to take down my security cameras (which are INSIDE my house and legal…he clearly has no idea how many people have doorbell cams). I dealt with his hand as best I could but the local dentist has/had him on increased blood flow meds to see if that may help with his jaw healing, which continues to rebound with infection. New treatment options are getting limited. Ra-223 or PARP inhibitors.
After the chicken Thai curry, I made refried rice with the leftover rice from the curry.
Yesterday, shrimp with udon noodles/broccoli. Leftovers tonight.
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Wally - I just can't imagine the horror of your neighbor. Aren't the local police any help? Our regular "community service" officer is a true blessing. And sorry to hear about your DH's increasing calcium.
Nothing exciting about the Costco Spinach Ravioli. The instructions said serve with butter or olive oil - so you know I choose butter. But they were just kind of blah. Maybe I'll try the other half of the package with Raos - but it's unlikely that I'll buy them again.
Special - you'll be glad to hear I FINALLY made your "One Step" chocolate cake with sour cream & pudding. The kitchen smells wonderful. I made it in a 9x13 instead of a bundt pan so I hope I cooked it enough. It's difficult to wait for it to cool.
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Minus - I think I can smell that chocolate cake.
Dinner is a Costco meatloaf, mashed potatoes, gravy and corn. Sadly , no chocolate cake 🙂↕️
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Oh my Special - your chocolate "one step" cake is absolutely delicious. I took a large hunk to my next door neighbor and will gleefully eat all the rest.
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Thank you, Nance, for calling my attention to the Orzo with spinach and butternut squash. I made it tonight and it was very good. The recipe I printed out was Creamy Orzo with Spinach and Roasted Butternut Squash. DH liked it, too. The "creamy" component was created with cream. Ample leftovers.
Experiencing chocolate cake envy!
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Sandy, Good that you got to hang out and dine with your fellow musicians.
Wally, A strobe light? You couldn’t make this stuff up. I hope your DH can find a med that works for him.
Nance, I can also smell Minus’ delicious chocolate cake. I suppose not being able to eat it is good for our waistlines.
Dinner tonight was spinach and mozzarella ravioli in Alfredo sauce. There’s hardly anything to throw away so I’m happy with how I did the shopping.
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Minus/Special….can someone post that recipe? Otherwise I will do a search.
Maggie, how I WISH I were making this stuff up. They both (husband/wife) actually walked to the edge of our driveway this morning, trying to figure out why there was so much light…surprise…I put mirrors in my window and they're seeing their own reflection. I swear I live next to the three year olds I never wanted.
Carole, I hope you had a good b-day celebration.
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Wally - here you go. It's on this thread somewhere when Special K first shared, but I'm glad I copied it to my recipe file since i didn't note the date & am not computer savvy enough to figure out search. I didn't have Kahlua so used Tia Maria. And I baked in a 9x13 pan at 350 degrees for 33 minutes - the time recommended on the back of the Devil's Food Cake package for that size pan.
ONE STEP CHOCOLATE CAKE - Special K
minus - I too remember the days of no parents driving their kids to school, and also the yellow galoshes and raincoats! I have another cake that starts with a mix and stays moist after slicing - it is called One Step Cake. No idea why since there are clearly several steps, lol!
Combine a Devil's Food cake mix with 1 1/2 c. sour cream, 3/4 c. veg. oil, 1/2 c. Kahlua, 2 beaten eggs, and a 4 oz. pkg. instant chocolate pudding. The batter is very thick. Spoon into a greased bundt pan and bake at 350 F. for at least 45 mins., until a tester comes out clean.
You can dust with powdered sugar, drizzle with melted chocolate, or heat a can of ready made frosting until it is thinned (only a short time in the microwave) and pour over. Yummy!1 -
Sorry for what you're going through, Wally. Can the HOA (assuming there is one) do anything? Seems they pop out of nowhere if your grass is the slightest bit too high or your deck is the wrong color, but don't often go to bat for you. Also sorry to hear about your DH's health problems.
Had brunch (actually, lunch) at Francesca's this afternoon—it's North Shore Restaurant Month (not a measly "week" like everywhere else). Started with roasted beets with walnut dressing & creme fraiche; Bob had a big meatball. We shared an "Italian chopped salad," but I found the lettuces too soggy, probably because they mix in the vinaigrette before doling them out. Entrees were roasted cod over spinach & mushrooms for me and rigatoni alla vodka with sausage for Bob. Desserts were included, but they were both topped with vanilla gelato. So we ate the gelato and took home the desserts; apple crumble for Bob, chocolate cake with amarena cherry sauce for me.
Finally made the paella—this time except for some shredded chicken and diced chorizo, it was "mariscos:" prawns, lump crabmeat, tinned Galician-style mussels (Jose Andres) and baby clams in brine. Used half chicken stock and half clam juice and didn't skimp on the saffron. 1 c. of Bomba rice does go a long way. Gave it a bit longer in the oven and then another 5 minutes on the stovetop to get an acceptable soccarat that didn't burn like last time. Plenty left over for tomorrow night.
Weather is warming up into the low 60s (maybe 70 Friday) and I noticed people buyng charcoal instead of ice melt.
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The rest of the beef srew from the other night. Was in a hurry to get the stew too cook and be enough for two nights so I accidentally added a little too much beef broth to it. Bought cornstarch today and thickened it up like it should be. Going to make a can of refrigerated biscuits to go with it.
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Minus, thanks.
Sandy, appreciate the empathy. I wish the HOA did something. UGH.
I'm thawing leftover chicken breasts from the day I cooked a whole chicken. No idea what it will become tonight.
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Wally, I'm worried about you and your dh. Your neighbors sound like people capable of violence. Do they have conflicts with their neighbors on the other side of their property?
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Carole - I'm glad the recipe was a success. It sounded like a good one
Now I have chocolate cake on my mind.
I wish someone would make paella for me.
Grilled brats tonight with potato salad and baked beans.
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There's an empty lot on their other side. He is livid that I have security cameras…and no doubt because they catch him breaking the law…dogs off leash, stole items off our property and vandalized some things. ..so everyone says you need proof and you can't get proof without cameras…and here we are. I'll defend my DH with my life….I have some karate skills. I should keep a loaded gun, but we don't. He has brought up guns in the past, which made me nervous. These are purely narcissists that want to do what they feel like without any regard for others and if anyone tries to stop them, they bully and retaliate. I just hope I don't die from all the stress. OY.
Editing to add…the witch just walked over with a letter…they FINALLY (13 years) want to hire gardeners to deal with the stuff between the properties. They (stupidly) assume they own 2/3 vs 1/3 and want to know if we want to go in on the gardener with them. hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaaha.
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Minus, I’ve been good. A little lazy about posting and a little busy. Just got back from Florida with DH and friends for my 50th birthday 🥳
Happy birthday Carole 🎉
Dinner is pork chops and sautéed cabbage/onions.
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Mae - many happy returns even if belated. Glad you got to take the trip to Florida I know we're warmer in Houston than in your mountain retreat, but maybe you missed the last gasp of Texas winter. I plan to bring out all my hanging baskets & potted plants tomorrow.
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Illimae, A belated happy birthday. I hope you enjoyed your celebration with friends in Florida.
Sandy, I had never thought of making paella with clam juice; I’ll have to try that.
I also have chocolate cake on the brain. If I make it I’ll eat more than I should, though.
Our flight was delayed by bad weather along the scheduled route so we missed our connection. We finally made it to NH and were able to get a hotel room since I was way too tired to drive across the state. Dinner tonight was a bad prepackaged cheese sandwich from an airport news shop, the only alternative to potato chips and candy bars. The two weeks of warmth were certainly worth it, however.
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Wally, your neighbor sounds almost like the one hubby amd I had to deal with before we sold our house last year. She was a complete psycho and a reverse racist to boot. She even had the termerity to fake a 911 call saying we were fighting. If it gets nastier bring the HOA into and if you have to the cops!
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Belated Happy Birthday, Mae.
Maggie, glad you enjoyed your Florida getaway.
I'm dreading a 2 hour dentist appointment this afternoon for stage 1 of a crown. Also not thrilled about paying half the total cost, which is $1600.
Dinner last night was leftover chili. It tasted just as good or better than first time around.
I definitely will not make the chocolate cake because I am capable of binge eating with such temptation.
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Happy Belated B-day, Illimae. WOOHOO…the big 5-0!
Mommyof3, The HOA and sheriff have been involved over the last 5 years….must say, the idea of the 911 call appeals to me. I've had to call when they were pounding on our front door and windows, ranting at us. Maybe putting the blame on them would be easier.
Carole, sorry on the dental stuff. 1600 for a crown sounds so reasonable, considering what we pay out here…and our cleanings are a scam too!! Hope it all works out and your mouth will be happy.
I made Filipino adobo chicken breast-on-bone. Leftovers tonight. Served with steamed cauliflower and refried beans.
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Carole, Crowns are not fun and are expensive. One of my two recent crowns didn’t fit correctly; the new one is scheduled to arrive next week. The one that was not quite right was cemented in since the temp kept coming off. The dentist will have to drill to remove it.
Wally, I haven’t made Filipino adobo chicken for a while. Thanks for the reminder.
Dinner tonight was an Austrian pork and cranberry recipe substituting chicken for the pork.
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hi all, work is so busy, have not posted for awhile. we’ve been ordering in a lot.
Carole good luck with your crowns.
Wally - wtf ? Your neighbors are worrisome, involve the police or your HOA! Your chicken dish does sound yummy.
tonight I made red daal and steamed vegies yum… and popped open a bottle of wine lol .. 2018 Bordeaux. Lovely.
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I HATE dentists, even though personally I like my dentist (outside of the chair). Carole - that's about the same price I've paid for the last couple of crowns. However I'm fortunate that my dentist has a machine that makes the crowns in the back room while you wait. It's actually fun to watch it work. At least there's no going back again & fitting again & …..
Lunch tomorrow with two girlfriends that has been postponed since Christmas due to their family issues. Looking forward to seeing them both. From reading the menu, I think I'll have a Cobb Salad - but this restaurant does serve breakfast all day. Hmmm.
Dinner was 2 fried eggs and leftover sourdough garlic bread. And of course another piece of chocolate cake. Since I took half of the 9x13 cake to a neighbor, I think I'll manage to eat the rest before it goes bad.
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I survived the dental appointment without too much suffering. The upper left portion of teeth feels normal this morning. I go back in three weeks for the permanent crown.
DH came home after PT yesterday morning with the ingredients for beef stew and he cooked the stew while I was at my dental appointment. It came out better than his last beef stew and I was glad not to be putting dinner on the table. Leftovers.
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Glad the crown wasn't too much suffering,, Carole.
After sobbing on the phone to the local onco's office, they finally scheduled a telehealth visit. The rad oncos (seattle-fred hutch and edmonds-swedish) decided that the "latest" reports say DH could do the pluvicto. I'm numb. So we're scrambling to get approvals and work around my appointments and all the stuff he needs. I'm officially emotionally drained and exhausted. I have my gyn appt friday, mainly so they can refill my rx, which adds more ick for my ptsd with doctors/medical crap.
I shredded the last breast and layered it with refried beans and salsa and cheese….YUM. Leftovers tomorrow.
The idiots finally turned off the strobes. For those not reading my previous posts, the HOA and sheriff HAVE been notified over the last 5 years…and here I sit.
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Sending you a hug Wally.
In spite of the 75° temps dinner tonight was vegetable barley soup and a two egg sandwich for me. Cream of tomato soup and grilled cheese for DH. Very satisfactory.
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Carole, It's good that your mouth is feeling OK after the dental appointment. Dinner cooked by your DH was a nice bonus.
Minus, That crown making machine seems to be a variation on a 3D printer. My dentist scans and sends the images to a lab. The dental assistants are now doing the scanning (the dentist checks it) but this is the second crown that wasn't quite right. I'm supposed to get the new one next week. What did you decide on for lunch?
Wally, Yay for the Pluvicto. I hope you can jump through all the hoops required.
Nance, I would have vegetable barley soup during a heat wave.
Dinner tonight was steak, sautéed yellow squash and tater tots for DH.
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Lunch was at Barnaby's - a new place for me. I had a Cobb Salad that truly was big enough for 3 full meals. Needless to day I brought two of the serving home. Dinner was two Ghiardelli Dark Chocolate Ganache Hearts since I'm still too full to manage anything else.
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Hi all - finally recovered from upper resp infection number 2 - unknown type, but contracted at a retirement party. While not feeling 100% we Both of us were sick again…) did DD's offroad vehicle expo, standing in a field for four days with a plethora of pollen was not a fantastic idea, and I got some kind of crazy rash on my face, likely an allergic reaction. With antihistamines and steroid topical it is finally under control. Ugh. I have finally stopped coughing. February and the beginning of March were not fun in my house, but yet we persevere.
maggie - belated congrats on becoming a grandma! Very exciting! I have all but given up on that designation, and I have come to terms with it. I finally donated all of the cute baby clothes I had been saving to my friend's church that has a gifting closet. I have had my initial pulmonary consult - doc is not convinced that we are looking at COPD, he ordered a regular chest x-ray which showed everything pretty normal other than overinflated lungs, which is a marker for COPD, lol! Glad you got to come to FL for a visit!
eric - happy belated anniv!
carole - happy belated birthday!
illimae - happy belated birthday! Glad you had a nice FL visit too!
Happy belated anything else to everyone else, haha!
DH joins the group having crowns - he just went yesterday and got the temp. Our dentist also makes their own crowns, but not same-day.
wally - a freakin' pox on your crazy ass neighbors! OMG - makes me want to join your local police force just so I can have a crack at them.
auntie - your b-nut squash recipe looks great - I need to try it!
minus - yay for one-step choc cake! You can freeze it also, it is so moist it freezes well.
I think Trader Joe's prides themselves on making their parking lots a challenge. Not sure why - seems counterintuitive.
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