My Weekly W's

What's top of my mind: The Russia Ukraine situation is on top of my mind.  I watch Aljazeera news and the stories are just heartbreaking. Seeing this really makes you appreciate all that you have a little more. I can't see this ending well at all for anyone.  You can try to be prepared as much as much as possible which I've always done but some things you just can't be prepared for.  Especially if you have to flee your country or hunker down in underground spaces.  I just can't even imagine how these people are feeling.

Where I've been: Another week of home, work and we did make a local stop at a grocery store to top things off.  

Where I'm going: This week looks to be exactly the same.

What I'm watching: I had Instant Family and Sweet Home Alabama on the TV while I cleaned the kitchen.  I've seen both before a few times. Instant Family is based on a true story and such a sweet/funny movie.  The big guy and I watched Don't Look Up.  It was interesting and a bit disturbing to see the ridiculousness that is actually reality now.

What I'm reading: Still reading Plenty.

What I'm listening to: Nothing.  I've had TV on instead of music this week while I do things around the house.  

What I'm eating: 

Pasta, meat sauce, salad and garlic bread

Chicken Guoda sausage, veggies, rice and rollup

Chicken, mac and cheese, salad

BIG salad

Veggie and beef sausage pizza

Veggies, hummus and roasted garlic dip

Tonight I'm roasting a chicken with sides to be determined

Everything was tasty but it wasn't an adventurous menu this week. My mind was just too all over the place to focus on cooking.  I'll make the Samosas this week instead and hopefully a few more interesting dishes.

Who needs a good slap: I know there are a lot of people that need a good slap.  There are just too many to single out one person this week.

What I'm planning: We actually have two parties to attend in March. A birthday party and a delayed wedding reception. That hasn't happened since 2019.  I'm actually pretty excited.  

What's making me smile: The weather did not make me smile this week but I think it may this coming week.  We started out the week very cold and then it warmed up on Tuesday. Wednesday the temperatures tanked and we had sleet for over 24 hours and it hasn't been above freezing since.  There is still a bit of sleet outside now.  Tomorrow is supposed to start a week in the 50's and 60's so that will make me smile.

How was your week?  Anything planned for the coming week?

Stay safe and pay attention to all the good that is still out there.

Roasted Garlic Dip

 

I love a good homemade dip for lunch with a huge variety of veggies. I've made this many times and it is always delicious. 

1/2 Cup mayonnaise

1/2 Cup plain yogurt

5 Tablespoons mashed roasted garlic

2 Tablespoons milk

1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (can use the anchovy-free brand)

1/4 teaspoon Tabasco

In a small bowl stir together all ingredients.

If you want a thicker dip, use less or no milk.  Adjust the number of garlic cloves for your taste.

This dip is one of the recipes in this cookbook.  I love the way the book is laid out and it has a huge variety of recipes. I like a variety of foods.  I don't like to eat the same thing over and over.  I also want to incorporate more veggies and less meat into our meals.  The next recipe I'm making is the Samosa recipe this Saturday and I'll post how that one turns out.

Hope everyone is having a fabulous week!

My Weekly W's

Can you believe we're heading into the last week of February?  It seems like I was just starting holiday and hibernation mode and now all of that is over.  The days are getting longer and the official start of Spring is less than a month away.  I'm continuing on my mission to slow down, be mindful and enjoy each moment.

What's top of my mind: Sprucing and purging the house.  I'm the type that goes through every closet, drawer, cabinet, etc. at least once a year.  I started this last week.  I don't like clutter and I don't like holding on to things that we don't use/need.  So far my linen closet and all the kitchen cabinets have been done.  It's such a good feeling letting go of stuff we don't want.  

Where I've been: Work, home, hairdresser and grocery store.  We didn't need much so I just picked up fresh veggies, fruit, milk and cheese. 

Where I'm going: Depending on the weather, I'd like to go to Firefly Grill next Saturday for lunch. Other than that, I'll just probably be going back and forth to work.

What I'm watching: The Many Saints of Newark.  I was a loyal Soprano fan and couldn't wait for the new episode every Sunday night.  Back then, it was about the only thing I watched on TV.  This movie didn't disappoint. 

What I'm reading: Plenty: A memoir of food and family by Hannah Howard.  So far, it's pretty interesting.

What I'm listening to: As I type this the news is playing in the background and the Russia/Ukraine situation is escalating. I don't usually watch mainstream news but I was curious what they are saying about this.

What I'm eating:

I made another batch of chicken, veggie egg rolls that we had with rice one night.  The rest were added to the freezer for a quick dinner or lunch.

Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and green beans.

When I made manicotti a couple of weeks ago I put one pan together uncooked to freeze.  So heating that up with a salad and garlic bread was a quick dinner.

I don't fry food very often.  I usually use the air fryer or oven fry but I was craving a 'real' fried chicken sandwich and it did not disappoint.  I made coleslaw and oven fries to go along with it.

BIG salad

Last night I made cheese ravioli. It takes time to make the ravioli and I didn't have any homemade sauce made up so I used a jar of Rao pasta sauce.  I like to keep a couple of jars on hand because that stuff is as close to homemade as you can get.

Who needs a good slap: I love my hairdresser and have been going to him for years.  I don't know what happened this time but I'm not liking my hair at all. I have very thick curly hair and if you cut it at an angle, it does not lay well.  Luckily my hair grows quickly.  I won't slap him but I give him a you know better WTH bud?

What I'm planning: When I finish this up I am going to make biscuits, eggs and bacon for brunch.  I need to wash the sheets, pay the bills and it's my mani pedi day.  Anything extra that gets done will be a bonus.

What's making me smile: This blanket brought tears but a smile as well.  I miss my green-eyed boy.

I hope everyone is doing well and has a fun filled productive week.

Things That Make Me Smile

 

         

                                                                      Happy Friday!!

Valentine's Day surprises

Yesterday was Valentine's Day.  The big guy and I usually celebrate with a small gift to each other and a nice meal.  We keep it minimal because we strive to show each other every day how much we love each other. He gave me a box of Ghirardelli chocolates and a very meaningful card that melted my heart.

The day also brought a few other surprises.  My friend Ella returned safely from Poland and brought me a treat.  This is the second kind of chocolate I've had from Poland and both have been delicious.  Now I am in love with the Swiss chocolates and chocolates from Paris that I've had but I honestly didn't know Poland produced such amazing treats.

                                   It may look small but is actually the size of a lunch plate.

When I got home the mailman had delivered a sweet card that everyone at the vet clinic signed.  Yes, it brought tears.

Then when the big guy returned from his TKD classes one of his students who has been attending since she was 11 and is now 23 had everyone sign a card, sent an amazing candle and a yellow gerbera daisy.  She wrote in the card that the gerbera daisy was "to remind you of light he brought into your life, the candle is to remind you he is at peace and for you to find peace as well and a blanket to remind you of his warm cuddles."  Apparently she took some pictures of Jet off of my FB page and is having a blanket made.  It will be ready in a couple of weeks. 

She is also the one that took over class the evening he died so the big guy could come and say goodbye to Jet. I text her and thanked her and her reply was "Of course I'd do this for you two.  We just wanted to make sure you knew you were loved and that we have your back" It's so refreshing to see a young woman that has so much compassion and love.

I am so thankful and grateful for all of the amazing people in my life.  One of these sweet surprises would have been great but to have them all happen on Valentine's Day...well, I'm feeling pretty loved.

Hope everyone is staying safe.

My Weekly W's

 What's top of my mind:  My mind has been all over the place this week.  Work has been unusually stressful.  I still get teary when I come across something of Jets.  I had a full-on cry when I got rid of his food. Inflation and shortages and the state of the world are rambling around up there as well.  I'm hoping today I can get a grip and get it together a bit.

Where I've been: Only work and home this week. Don't be jealous of my fabulously exciting life. :)

Where I'm going: I have a hair appointment this week, I need to stop by the library to pick up my requests and next weekend we will do our biweekly shopping.  Other than that, probably just work and home.

What I'm watching:  To escape for a few hours this week I re-watched a few rom com's that always make me smile.  Always Be My Maybe, Never Have I Ever and The Holiday.  Everyone needs an escape from time to time.

What I'm reading: Sad to say, I didn't pick up a book all week.

What I'm listening to:  Once again, I've tried to enjoy the silence every chance I can get.

What I'm eating: 

Big Salad, garlic cheese biscuits 2 nights

White bean chicken chili

Manicotti, salad and garlic knots

Beef cheeseburgers and fries

Roast beef, mashed potatoes, corn

Tonight we're having chicken wings, beef taquitos, salsa, jalapeno popper dip and chips. Not very nutritious but definitely tasty. 

Valentine chocolate cupcakes with cream cheese frosting

Who needs a good slap: I can't name names or specifics, but I witnessed someone being reprimanded for their behavior saying, "it's not like I raped or killed anyone".  Throat punch!!

What I'm planning:  I'm planning on a slow paced, relaxing Sunday.

What's making me smile:  We've had a couple of really cold weeks but almost every day the sun has come out which always makes me smile.  Tuesday I had a two-hour conversation with my oldest and dearest friend. Yesterday I talked to one of my newer friends for almost as long.  That brought smiles as well.

I hope everyone is staying safe and celebrating the joys that cross your path.  Have a wonderful Sunday!!  

Things That Make Me Smile

 

My Weekly W's

The first week of February is already over with and frankly it was not a good week.  Thank you everyone that sent messages and hugs it really made a difference.  I even read the comments to the big guy who also has been missing Jet.

What's top of my mind:  I'm slowly coming out of my hibernation phase and am ready to start sprucing up the house and doing an early Spring clean.  I'm feeling the house needs a refresh and I want to get this done so I will have time to focus on the garden planning and planting this year.  I have most of the seeds I want but do need to pick up a few.

Where I've been:  We just got back home from doing some shopping. We usually go on Saturdays but yesterday was 4 degrees when I got up and decided today would be the day to go since it is a bit warmer.  The farm we buy from had chicken and beef for us to pick up.  I'm thankful for that because of the quality, the availability and the price.  

Where I'm going: I don't think I'll be going anywhere but to work this week.

What I'm watching: Wednesday I watched it sleet. Thursday I watched it snow.  It was so quiet and peaceful. It was fun having a couple of snow days stuck inside with the big guy.

What I'm reading: I finally finished Taste My Life Through Food by Tucci.  I read a LOT of biographies and memoirs, especially on people that love food.  Stanly Tucci has been a favorite actor of mine and I enjoyed the series he did on food throughout Italy but I only give this book a 5.  Maybe I've just been in a bad mood.

What I'm listening to: Nothing.  I'm enjoy as much quiet as I can get.  

What I'm eating: 

Beef chili, cornbread

Creole chicken legs, baked potato and corn

Chicken Tika Masala, rice and naan

Chicken gouda sausage, roasted potatoes

Cheese burger and fries

Who needs a good slap: I don't know if they need a good slap or a huge hug but I've witnessed a couple of breakdowns and flat-out horrible behavior in a couple of professionals over the last two weeks and not only was it a huge burden on others but flat out unacceptable.  

What I'm planning: Tomorrow after work I am going to bake up a batch of walnut chocolate chip cookies with a thank you card for the people below.  Other than that, I don't have any plans other than to keep sprucing up the house before Spring.

What's making me smile:  Right before we left the vets office Monday evening one of the tech's asked if I wanted a paw print of Jet.  I said yes that would be wonderful and she told us to pick it up the next day before the storm started.  I thought she was going to use an ink pad and get a paw print on paper like I have for the first cat we lost.  This was not what I was expecting at all and it brought a very much needed smile to both of our faces.  We baked it according to directions and it is hanging on my spice rack in the kitchen where Jet spent a lot of time with us.  Every single person we encountered there over this 6-day ordeal was amazingly kind and considerate and we are so thankful.

 I hope everyone is staying safe and has a wonderful week.

Naan

 It is amazing to me how scratch made food is so much less expensive and tastes so much better than any store-bought items.  

A good brand of Naan is a little over 3.00 for two and they do not taste anything like homemade.

I work with a number of people from different parts of India and Ethiopia, and they gave me two thumbs up the first time I brought them for lunch.  So that makes me feel good.

1 1/2 Cup warm water

2 tsp. yeast

1 tbs. sugar

1 tsp. salt

3 Cups flour

Add first three ingredients and let sit for 5 minutes until the yeast is bubbly

Add salt to flour and pour in wet ingredients

Stir until combined and then dump out onto a flour coated surface to knead for about 3 minutes

Let rest for at least 1 hour

Cut into 8 equal pieces and roll out.

In a large cast iron skillet cook each one on medium high for about 1 to 1.5 minutes per side.

These do also freeze very well.  

R.I.P. Jet 9-29-2006 to 1-31-2022

Yesterday morning Jet was very weak and wasn't moving around much at all.  We took him to his appointment and the vet wanted to keep him overnight on an IV to try to hydrate him but I knew it wasn't going to work and at 4:15 they called saying if we wanted to see him we needed to come soon.  We got there within 15 minutes and he was already gone.  We spent some time with him and said our goodbyes.  

Jet was a funny, crazy soul that brought a ton of love and laughter into our home and lives and he will greatly be missed.