So...whats for dinner?

DH, myself and the pups stayed overnight in El Paso after my chemo on Wednesday to enjoy a dinner out and the hotel hot tub even though it was a warm night. At Texas Roadhouse, I had the chicken fried sirloin, meh. DH had the prime rib and enjoyed it. Tonight was and easy favorite, French bread pizza and salad. Tomorrow will be pork chops and sautéed cabbage/onions. I’m thinking of steak and cod later this week but no definite plan yet.

Wally, Glasses can be very expensive and those heavy lenses are uncomfortable. Warby Parker which used to be online only now has stores in large cities including Boston. We've taken advantage of the $95 starting price (there are more expensive options) for DH's glasses. I currently have one nearsighted and one farsighted eye so can get by with my two ancient pairs of glasses. Sole is one of my favorite fish dishes.

Illimae, Sorry your restaurant meal wasn’t great. As a good cook you would have done a better job with the same ingredients. I hope the hotel stay with hot tub made up for the dinner.

Minus, After all that you definitely deserved a gin and tonic. I really like the taste of plain tonic water but the carbonation means I can no longer drink it.

Dinner tonight was lemon chicken for DH and scrambled eggs for me. I’m hoping a bland diet will help my mouth heal.

Sorry about your sore mouth, Maggie. And about your bloodwork, Wally, though I didn't understand what was worrisome about the results.

We had good weather for travel except for half of the first day, when we drove through some heavy rain. We arrived on Thursday early afternoon. Everything was ok with the camper EXCEPT… You guessed it. The refrigerator didn't want to operate. For the next 24 hours we had to rely on a cooler on the deck. DH watched UTube videos and turned the refrigerator off for about an hour and then back on. Not a solution. Then on Friday night the compressor clicked on and the refrigerator is cooling down and the ice maker is making ice. We're hoping for refrigeration throughout the summer.

I made a pot of chili for Friday night. We warmed it up with hot dogs last night. Tonight we'll have fresh beets I bought at the Farmers Market yesterday. They were grown in a green house. The tops are very pretty so I will slice them and saute in olive oil. I have a lovely lettuce grown by hydroponic gardeners, so we'll have a green leafy salad. And roasted chicken thighs cooked on/in the outdoor grill/oven. I cleaned it today.

The calendar page has flipped and we're beginning summer in the 5th wheel camper.

I like the older refrigerators that don't try to outsmart me. Hopefully the 'fridge will work the rest of the summer…and beyond.

I am anxiously awaiting for the farmers markets to get back to selling produce. Right now it's still mostly "arts and crafts".

Sharon went to a music jam at an Irish pub and ate dinner there. I stayed at home with the dogs and kept them company during a thunderstorm.

We had bought 2 whole chickens (on sale for 99 cents a pound) and it was the time where I either cooked it or froze it. I cooked it in the oven, fully expecting the power to go out, but it stayed on for the almost 2 hours I needed to cook it. Toward the end I brushed BBQ sauce onto the chicken to use the rest of the bottle Sharon used earlier.

So, we now have several meals of BBQ chicken.

Maggie, will leaving a glass of tonic water out overnight allow the carbonation to "go away"? I don't like tonic water…too bitter for my tastes.

I've only had one or two restaurant meals that were awful, but most have been at least okay.

Last night's meal totally suited my taste buds. The sauteed beets greens were especially tasty. There was a little dish of bacon grease on the counter from dh's breakfast bacon. I added it to the greens. The skin on chicken thighs were overcooked and delicious. The beets were sweet.

Tonight is Meatloaf Monday at Clancy's. Yay for not cooking. I will eat something else from the menu. I like their meatloaf but I may have a salad dinner. I weighed at the gym today and hope to drop the lbs. I gained back plus some additional lbs.

We were supposed to get some rain storms but it looks like they're going around us. I definitely don't want hail falling on dh's pretty new Ford 150. It has bells and whistles we haven't figured out but I love the backup screen and some of the other features, too. Like cruise control that won't let you get too close to the car in front of you.

Eric, When my mouth clears up I’ll have to try your tonic water suggestion. You got a great deal on that chicken.

Carole, It’s nice to get a break from cooking. A bit of bacon makes so many things taste better.

Minus, If you ever have to replace your car you should be OK. Like Carole I don’t know how to use many of the included features but started with what was necessary. I really like the backup camera and the light on the mirrors that comes on when a car is in the blind spot. I haven’t figured out cruise control yet but I’ll do that eventually.

Wally, Happy Birthday to your DH! That combo of pizza toppings sounds delicious.

Dinner tonight was shepherd’s pie made with ground lamb. I went heavy on the potato topping.

Wallycat, Happy Birthday to your DH.

The 1950, 1957 and 1964 vehicles we have don't have cruise control. The 1964 does have an AM radio, so there is some "high tech" in that one. :-)

Carole, I agree with your comment about learning new things. Now that I don't have classrooms of teenagers who know all the latest tech tricks I've gotten very good at using Google and YouTube to figure things out.

Eric, Being your own mechanic has probably saved you thousands over the years. The old vehicles are much easier and cheaper to repair, too.

Exciting news, Eric! Best wishes to your DD and her soon to be fiance.

Finally went to the dentist and have additional chlorhexadine to be used more frequently.

Dinner tonight was leftover shepherd's pie.

Awww Eric - sweet news! Congrats to them!

Great news about your DD & beau Eric. Glad you like him.

My DS is flying in Thursday afternoon and has requested (again) Laurie's Salsa Chicken. He'll spend Friday across town with his Dad and then I'll take him back to the airport Saturday morning. Short but it will be good to see him.

Congratulations to your daughter and beau, Eric. So good that you're pleased.

I wish your son could stay a day or two longer, Minus, but I know you will love having even a short visit.

Hope the trip to the dentist equals relief, Maggie.

We had a wonderful salad last night, featuring the lettuce I bought at the farmers market. Additions were cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives and avocado. The dressing was oil and vinegar. The main course was linguine in Rao's with bulk Italian sausage. Fresh grated parm reg. Lots of leftover pasta dish for another meal.

So we got our first CSA box delivery from the flocktown farm. Made a pasta dish with sautéed shiitake mushrooms, garlic snaps, and scallions with baked tofu. With side salad of green lettuce. Such fun to decide what to cook based on what is fresh each week. Still have broccoli and bok choy with puréed tomatoes for later …. Very happy.

Carole- lettuce from the farmers market is so good. Glad ou arrived safely. And fingers crossed fridge behaves.
Wally- I’m so impressed you could fix the faucet via YouTube! You rock. Agree with Maggie about buying a treat with $ saved!
Minus - enjoy the visit with your DS, so nice
Maggie - I love oyster sauce .. I’ll have to buy some haven’t had it in years.

I've helped DH do toilets too. Minus, does your repair have a warranty? 30 days after fixing and now issues? I'd call them back.

I finally got a referral for a derm appointment and they had a cancellation, so I'm going this morning. Hate going to doctors (I know, who loves it, right?)

Last night, I poached an egg on top of the last few pizza slices and it reminded me of my time in Paris. Fun times.

I'm going to make a tri-tip yakisoba noodle tonight. We may go out for tacos near the local fish monger after my appt., for lunch.

Rhonda, The CSA box is a great way to get fresh vegetables, support local farms and expand your diet. We tend to buy/plant what we are familiar with and like. Being gifted with excess veggies from others’ gardens has made me try things I wouldn’t normally buy and add more variety to what I cook with.

Minus, Those new toilet systems require replacing the entire innards rather than adjusting the flap or bulb angle, a much more expensive fix.

Wally, I understand your reluctance but derm appointments are hard to get. I ended up going to a privately owned group with locations all over New England since they guarantee an appointment within two weeks as opposed to the ten month wait elsewhere. If you need Mohs you have to travel to one of three surgical locations but nobody minds. It’s fun to make a meal that brings back good memories.

Carole, Your summer location is appropriate for a hearty soup meal.

Dinner tonight was grilled lamb chops and sautéed Brussels sprouts with apricots.

I'll make salmon with fries and not sure what green veg yet, for tonight.