Here we are at the start of another week. Last week went pretty well; I forget how easy and what a big hit a roast turkey breast is with the family. Everything else went ok too...here's what's coming up now...
Monday: Leftovers. Barefoot Contessa's brisket (sorry, Ina, this one just isn't a winner here. Shocking, really. There's a cranberry brisket recipe I really need to find, so alas, as easy as this one is, this is probably the last time we'll be making this recipe) and the best crockpot pork roast ever; sweet potatoes; spaghetti and meatballs.
Tuesday: New chicken recipe from Bon Appetit (thanks Country Mouse/City Mouse!)--roasted breasts with chickpeas. Broccoli. Quinoa pilaf.
Wednesday: Sloppy joes, baked potatoes, asparagus.
Thursday: Indian-spiced crockpot chicken from Don't Eat Baby, red lentils and asparagus from the "Delicious Living" magazine that is always free at two of my shopping places. Probably leftover sloppy joes and rice for my kids, but I can try.
Friday: Probably back to our usual pizza.
Weekend: we'll see. Leftovers, or maybe we'll get insanely lucky again. Last weekend, on Saturday night as I was trying desperately to summon the will to get off the couch to figure out what was for dinner, one of my sisters-in-law called, asking us to please please please come to dinner and bring containers. Ok then. We roused the boys, drove on out, and found she had invited all the other sibs and kids as well (so that was three adults and three teenage boys) plus a friend and her parents and a friend, her boyfriend, and his three kids, ages 10, 6, and 4. What was the occasion? She and her husband had hosted his family, plus her parents and one aunt & uncle for a lunch/dinner at 1pm. When everyone (~20) left, she found herself with a huge pot of meatballs in gravy (that's red sauce, if you aren't from around here and Italian), two lettuce salads, one with antipasti in it, macaroni salad, hot sausage and peppers, sweet sausage and peppers, two trays of deviled eggs, three trays of chicken (one lemon, two piccata), other stuff I can't think of right now...and, oh, yeah, dessert. Pistachio pudding whip straight outta my childhood, Italian Rum Cake (also straight outta my childhood), cookies cookies cookies, chocolates, and other stuff I couldn't absorb. AND we all left with goody bags. AND so did everyone who was at the first party. What a blessing. All I had to do was boil water last night and poof! Dinner for four. Hence all my own leftovers from last week for this week.
Wanna play? Go visit the Organizing Junkie (she's getting busy over there on Mondays!).
Monday, April 7, 2008
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Can't Resist This One--Four Foods Friday
#1. American cheese. Sliced fresh or prepackaged processed cheese product?
Little known fact: I grew up on government surplus cheese. No, really. Between my dad working for a school district, and therefore able to add personal bulk food orders to the district's, and (far more often) my grandfather standing in line for cheese and bringing it to us as though in trade for the dinners he'd share with us, I barely knew anything else existed. We always had a foot long block of cheese in the fridge and used one of those scrapey cheese thingees to get slices. So government surplus is really my favorite. It reminds me of my childhood.
#2. What is your favorite cracker?
Trader Joe's Rice Cracker rounds. I don't even let them in the house.
#3. What hot breakfast cereal do you like? Think oatmeal, farina, grits, etc.
Not many. If pressed, I guess oatmeal but none of them are big hits in my house.
#4. Share a recipe that uses corn.
OK, this is why I'm here. I LIVE for this recipe in summer. If Epicurious does nothing else for me ever again, this recipe will have been enough to earn my eternal gratitude.
Corn, Zucchini, and Tomato Pie
from Pot Pies: Comfort Food Under Cover | January 2000
Diane Phillips
This pie is made from the overflowing bounty of the backyard garden. Fresh corn and zucchini seasoned with dill bake underneath Parmesan-crusted tomatoes to make a scrumptious entrée that can be served warm or at room temperature.
Servings: Makes 6 to 8 servings.
Ingredients
3 cups fresh, or frozen and defrosted corn kernels
5 small zucchini, cut into matchstick pieces
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon fresh dill weed
2 tablespoons melted butter
3 to 4 vine-ripened tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch slices
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup dry bread crumbs
2 tablespoons olive oil
Preparation: Preheat the oven to 375°. In a 13 by 9-inch ovenproof baking dish, combine the corn, zucchini, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of pepper, the dill, and the melted butter, tossing to coat the vegetables. Cover the vegetable swith the tomatoes. Sprinkle with the remaining salt and pepper.
In a small bowl, combine the cheese and the bread crumbs. Sprinkle the mixture over the tomatoes and drizzle with the olive oil. Bake the pie for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling. Remove it from the oven, and let it stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Wanna play? Click here.
Little known fact: I grew up on government surplus cheese. No, really. Between my dad working for a school district, and therefore able to add personal bulk food orders to the district's, and (far more often) my grandfather standing in line for cheese and bringing it to us as though in trade for the dinners he'd share with us, I barely knew anything else existed. We always had a foot long block of cheese in the fridge and used one of those scrapey cheese thingees to get slices. So government surplus is really my favorite. It reminds me of my childhood.
#2. What is your favorite cracker?
Trader Joe's Rice Cracker rounds. I don't even let them in the house.
#3. What hot breakfast cereal do you like? Think oatmeal, farina, grits, etc.
Not many. If pressed, I guess oatmeal but none of them are big hits in my house.
#4. Share a recipe that uses corn.
OK, this is why I'm here. I LIVE for this recipe in summer. If Epicurious does nothing else for me ever again, this recipe will have been enough to earn my eternal gratitude.
Corn, Zucchini, and Tomato Pie
from Pot Pies: Comfort Food Under Cover | January 2000
Diane Phillips
This pie is made from the overflowing bounty of the backyard garden. Fresh corn and zucchini seasoned with dill bake underneath Parmesan-crusted tomatoes to make a scrumptious entrée that can be served warm or at room temperature.
Servings: Makes 6 to 8 servings.
Ingredients
3 cups fresh, or frozen and defrosted corn kernels
5 small zucchini, cut into matchstick pieces
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon fresh dill weed
2 tablespoons melted butter
3 to 4 vine-ripened tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch slices
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup dry bread crumbs
2 tablespoons olive oil
Preparation: Preheat the oven to 375°. In a 13 by 9-inch ovenproof baking dish, combine the corn, zucchini, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of pepper, the dill, and the melted butter, tossing to coat the vegetables. Cover the vegetable swith the tomatoes. Sprinkle with the remaining salt and pepper.
In a small bowl, combine the cheese and the bread crumbs. Sprinkle the mixture over the tomatoes and drizzle with the olive oil. Bake the pie for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling. Remove it from the oven, and let it stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Wanna play? Click here.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Amazing Posts Today You Should Read
It's Autism Awareness Day.
Read the Lemonade & Kidneys post here.
Read Domestic Goddess's post here.
And on a completely different note, Barack Obama spoke at our local high school today. Read the inside scoop at Well Read Hostess here.
You'll thank me later, really.
Someday I might get my act together enough to write about our nephew with autism. Or not. Even if I do, it won't be as eloquent or compelling as my friends' stories here.
And as you'll see in my comment from WRH, I will always remember this not as the day Obama dangled the idea of Gore as VP in his talk, but the day he sincerely implored support for early childhood education. I'm guessing he didn't know that his visit caused the host school to cancel preschool for the day. Leaving my boy without school today. (Fortunately, his cousin stepped in and said she'd take him for the day as I had to work and my husband, of all things, was at an accountability conference, and it looks really bad to back out of those.) A shame the little ones weren't there, really--my boy is cute. Would've been a heck of a photo op. I have a goal of taking the kids to see all the presidential candidates, but alas, they keep coming to our part of the state on days that I'm working. But there are almost three weeks until election day. Surely they'll be back.
Read the Lemonade & Kidneys post here.
Read Domestic Goddess's post here.
And on a completely different note, Barack Obama spoke at our local high school today. Read the inside scoop at Well Read Hostess here.
You'll thank me later, really.
Someday I might get my act together enough to write about our nephew with autism. Or not. Even if I do, it won't be as eloquent or compelling as my friends' stories here.
And as you'll see in my comment from WRH, I will always remember this not as the day Obama dangled the idea of Gore as VP in his talk, but the day he sincerely implored support for early childhood education. I'm guessing he didn't know that his visit caused the host school to cancel preschool for the day. Leaving my boy without school today. (Fortunately, his cousin stepped in and said she'd take him for the day as I had to work and my husband, of all things, was at an accountability conference, and it looks really bad to back out of those.) A shame the little ones weren't there, really--my boy is cute. Would've been a heck of a photo op. I have a goal of taking the kids to see all the presidential candidates, but alas, they keep coming to our part of the state on days that I'm working. But there are almost three weeks until election day. Surely they'll be back.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Something Else to Not Be Updating
Twitter me, baby!
I'm MemeGRL on Twitter. Whatever that means. I'll find out soon, apparently.
I'm MemeGRL on Twitter. Whatever that means. I'll find out soon, apparently.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Easing Back In--MPM
Top of the evenin' to you! We had a lovely St. Pat's here, though we spent it in a most Italian way, cruising the Italian Market, meeting my friend Rocco, and buying things I'm too intimidated to learn to cook. like ham pie, ricotta pie, and egg bread. The boys had a ball running around South Philadelphia, and I did too. I picked up potatoes and some other veggies for a song and came home inspired.
Alas, I ran out of time to get ham or corned beef before the boys fell asleep in the car, so I went with plan B for tonight. But we also made my mother's Irish Soda Bread recipe, and that made it feel like a holiday. My younger son helped, and would ask, "I stir it now? I pour it now? I a good boy?" And he really was. He's a very enthusiastic kitchen helper.
Monday: Rachael Ray's Turkey Shepherd's Pie, soda bread
Tuesday: Leftover same (even my picky older son ate a ton of it! I was thrilled)
Wednesday: Potato and corn chowder (made it up; it's bland so far but I'm hoping it gets better)
Thursday: Corned beef or ham and cabbage (I already have the cabbage, so this has to happen)
Friday: It's Good Friday so I am not sure what we'll do. Probably finish the soup.
Saturday: Something from the freezer (probably chicken fingers, spinach, and rice for the boys)
Sunday: Happy Easter! Feast at my sister-in-law's.
Alas, I ran out of time to get ham or corned beef before the boys fell asleep in the car, so I went with plan B for tonight. But we also made my mother's Irish Soda Bread recipe, and that made it feel like a holiday. My younger son helped, and would ask, "I stir it now? I pour it now? I a good boy?" And he really was. He's a very enthusiastic kitchen helper.
Monday: Rachael Ray's Turkey Shepherd's Pie, soda bread
Tuesday: Leftover same (even my picky older son ate a ton of it! I was thrilled)
Wednesday: Potato and corn chowder (made it up; it's bland so far but I'm hoping it gets better)
Thursday: Corned beef or ham and cabbage (I already have the cabbage, so this has to happen)
Friday: It's Good Friday so I am not sure what we'll do. Probably finish the soup.
Saturday: Something from the freezer (probably chicken fingers, spinach, and rice for the boys)
Sunday: Happy Easter! Feast at my sister-in-law's.
Friday, March 14, 2008
I'm Sure He's Just Updating His Blog Too
I went to frat parties with this guy.
Now here's a picture of him on his computer. In freakin' OUTER SPACE.
Congratulations, Garrett. Enjoy your weeks off the planet!
Now here's a picture of him on his computer. In freakin' OUTER SPACE.
Congratulations, Garrett. Enjoy your weeks off the planet!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
We Interrupt this Hiatus for the Husband Meme
I got tagged by my friend at Don't Eat Baby, so here we are...
Thanks for your good wishes, the hiatus is going well and I should be back on a more regular basis soonish.
Brag About Your Husband
What is his name: I try not to advertise online
How long have you been married: 13 years this June (note: edited from 14...in the "who is better at math" question, clearly him too!)
How long did you date: First time: 2 months. Second time: 9 months. But we had known each other for a decade by then.
How old is he: 40
How old are you: 39 (no, really!)
Who eats more sweets: ummm...that would be me. By a mile.
Whose parents do you see most? Well, mine are dead so I'd have to say his.
Who said I love you first: Aloud? Him. By slavish devotion more becoming to a puppy dog? Me.
Who is taller: That would be him, by almost a foot. If I sit on our kitchen peninsula I am almost as tall as he is. I'll tell you, it's a different world from up there.
Who can sing better: Tough call. I used to sing more, but by now, I have to say he sings better.
Who is smarter: Clearly he is.
Who does the laundry: Until the second child was born? He did. Since then, I've taken over. I guess it's my turn for the next 11 years.
Who does the dishes: I think it's an even split so I'm sure that means he does them more.
Who pays the bills: Both of us.
His guilty pleasure: WIP Sportstalk Radio, old war movies, and Scarlett Johannsen
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed: He does. I used to, but then I got pregnant and the bathroom is much closer to the left side.
Who mows the lawn: He does.
Who has more friends: Not to go all Bill Clinton, but define friends. He has an incredibly tight bunch of guys from both high school and college, but not one of them lives within fifty miles. I have a collection of people I hang out with from all stages of my life.
Besides you, who is his best friend: his best man
Who cooks dinner: Currently, it's me, which is a shame, because he's much better at it than I am
Who is more stubborn: that would be me.
Who kissed who first: He totally had to kiss me first. We'd been good friends so long, I didn't want to mess it up by kissing him if he wasn't interested. Which made it surreal when he was.
Who asked who out first: He must have asked me. Because I never would have thought he'd be interested in going out with me. (Which, come to think of it, he wasn't. He was really interested in my friend. But I was willing to work with that.)
What was your first date: Probably a movie at the Media Theater. Mississippi Burning? Hannah and Her Sisters? (Wow, neither of those have particularly good relationship chi, huh?)
Who proposed: He did, shocking me speechless (quite a trick)
Who has more siblings: No contest. He's fifth of five and I'm an only.
What is your favorite thing about him: Can I only pick one? He makes me laugh like no one else. He is a great listener. He knows me better than anyone and loves me anyway. His thoughtful practice of our faith. Watching him be a dad makes me swoon. I lose track of my thoughts when I look in his eyes. He's scary smart and fun to talk to. Sorry, that's more than one. And did I mention his biceps?
I tag Mary, Tiffany, and Anjali, since Rachel already played. Happy Valentines Day!
Thanks for your good wishes, the hiatus is going well and I should be back on a more regular basis soonish.
Brag About Your Husband
What is his name: I try not to advertise online
How long have you been married: 13 years this June (note: edited from 14...in the "who is better at math" question, clearly him too!)
How long did you date: First time: 2 months. Second time: 9 months. But we had known each other for a decade by then.
How old is he: 40
How old are you: 39 (no, really!)
Who eats more sweets: ummm...that would be me. By a mile.
Whose parents do you see most? Well, mine are dead so I'd have to say his.
Who said I love you first: Aloud? Him. By slavish devotion more becoming to a puppy dog? Me.
Who is taller: That would be him, by almost a foot. If I sit on our kitchen peninsula I am almost as tall as he is. I'll tell you, it's a different world from up there.
Who can sing better: Tough call. I used to sing more, but by now, I have to say he sings better.
Who is smarter: Clearly he is.
Who does the laundry: Until the second child was born? He did. Since then, I've taken over. I guess it's my turn for the next 11 years.
Who does the dishes: I think it's an even split so I'm sure that means he does them more.
Who pays the bills: Both of us.
His guilty pleasure: WIP Sportstalk Radio, old war movies, and Scarlett Johannsen
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed: He does. I used to, but then I got pregnant and the bathroom is much closer to the left side.
Who mows the lawn: He does.
Who has more friends: Not to go all Bill Clinton, but define friends. He has an incredibly tight bunch of guys from both high school and college, but not one of them lives within fifty miles. I have a collection of people I hang out with from all stages of my life.
Besides you, who is his best friend: his best man
Who cooks dinner: Currently, it's me, which is a shame, because he's much better at it than I am
Who is more stubborn: that would be me.
Who kissed who first: He totally had to kiss me first. We'd been good friends so long, I didn't want to mess it up by kissing him if he wasn't interested. Which made it surreal when he was.
Who asked who out first: He must have asked me. Because I never would have thought he'd be interested in going out with me. (Which, come to think of it, he wasn't. He was really interested in my friend. But I was willing to work with that.)
What was your first date: Probably a movie at the Media Theater. Mississippi Burning? Hannah and Her Sisters? (Wow, neither of those have particularly good relationship chi, huh?)
Who proposed: He did, shocking me speechless (quite a trick)
Who has more siblings: No contest. He's fifth of five and I'm an only.
What is your favorite thing about him: Can I only pick one? He makes me laugh like no one else. He is a great listener. He knows me better than anyone and loves me anyway. His thoughtful practice of our faith. Watching him be a dad makes me swoon. I lose track of my thoughts when I look in his eyes. He's scary smart and fun to talk to. Sorry, that's more than one. And did I mention his biceps?
I tag Mary, Tiffany, and Anjali, since Rachel already played. Happy Valentines Day!
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