Things That Make Me Smile

 

My Danish Wisk.  I've had this for a number of years.  I use it for muffins and quick breads but it really shows its strength on cookie dough.  It whips the dough together like no wooden spoon could.

Have a great Saturday!!

My Weekly W's

What's top of my mind: My 2022 goals.  It's April so I went over my list of goals for the year to see where I'm at with them.  I'm ahead on a few and behind on a few others.  All and all I'm doing pretty well.  I'm nowhere near my reading goal but typically I read much more during the summer and fall so I should still make it.

Where I've been: Yesterday the big guy and I took a road trip to do some shopping and have lunch.  It was nice to spend the day out together and enjoy the sunny day.  On the way home we stopped at Yellin Hellens to split an All-American sundae. Apple pie, ice cream and cinnamon. Delicious!!

Where I'm going: I didn't make it to the library this past week so it is on the agenda for this week.  I also need to make a trip to Goodwill to drop off the two large boxes of 'stuff' that we no longer use.  The big guy and I did a pro con list of a yard sale and decided to donate. Other than that I'll be going between work and home. I'm looking forward to a weekend at home next week.

What I'm watching: I had the TV on a few evenings while I was working in the kitchen and listened to a few episodes of Modern Family and Gilmore Girls.  Other than that I didn't really watch anything.

What I'm reading: I finally finished Taste by Stanley Tucci.  I had set it aside for a while but it is done now. I'd give it a 7 out of 10.  There is one recipe in it for a pasta dish with zucchini that I will be trying this summer.

What I'm listening to: With everything going on all over the world I'm trying to keep it as quiet as possible to calm my mind.  I had a couple of weeks where my mind seemed to be all over the place and the quiet seems to help with that.

What I'm eating: 

Turkey, potato cheese patties, salad and deviled eggs. (left overs from Easter)

Pasta, salad and bread sticks. (I make the bread sticks from pizza dough and they are so good)

Veggie, chicken egg rolls and rice

Another pot of chili because it was a cool night

Calzones, salad and a couple of motz sticks. (I had bought a box of motz sticks thinking they wouldn't taste that bad...neither of us would eat them)

Yesterday we had a late lunch that was delicious and we were still pretty full so had a salad for dinner.  I LOVE a good club and hadn't had one in a very long time.  This one was so good I had eaten one wedge before I remembered to take a picture. Not a great picture but it was a great sandwich.

Who needs a good slap:  Main stream media.  Does anyone still actually listen to this shit??

What I'm planning:  I need to call the landscaper this week to get a spot with him.  We want to freshen up everything in the front yard and add a few more bushes and a tree. I'm also still trying to figure out a day trip for next month.  I have no idea where I want to go but am thinking a trip to Kentucky may be it.

What's making me smile:  This is a partial smile, partial shaking my head moment. The big guy sent me this picture from the restroom at the restaurant yesterday.  I just shook my head and thought seriously?? I don't know which is worse, the sign or the fact that he felt the need to take a picture and send it to me. Gotta smile at his warped sense of humor.

I hope everyone has a great week.  Enjoy your Sunday!!

Things That Make Me Smile

 

My Weekly W's

What's top of my mind: For the first time in many years I put together an Easter basket for the big guy with some of his favorites.  He was very surprised not just because it's been years but because I'm the one usually telling him to lay off the sweets. 

I'm not much of a sweet eater and do not like Peeps at all but saw a CUTE recipe.  Take a baking pan and line the bottom with chocolate chips.  Cover the top with rows of Peeps and bake at 350 for about 10 minutes until it's all heated through and use graham crackers to dip in to it.  Smores in a pan!

Where I've been: I had a 4-day work week so Friday I went to Hobby Lobby to find some bling for the corner flower bed.  I fell in love with this one. It gives a 3 d effect when the wind is blowing and is mesmerizing to watch.

Where I'm going: I am planning on going to the library one afternoon and dinner out next Saturday since we didn't get to go this week like we planned.  I'm not sure what else I will do this week yet.

What I'm watching: Other than Master Chef Kids and the Julie Child Challenge I didn't watch anything this week.

What I'm reading: Honey Butter and Lydia Green of Mulberry Glen by Millie Florence.  She is a former TKD student of my husbands and wrote the first one at age 13 and the second at the age of 15.  She is 16 now.  They are for a young audience, but I found both books wonderful.  If you are interested or know someone who may be interested, she is offering access to the first book free on her website. MillieFlorence.com.  I think she has a wonderful future as a writer ahead of her.

What I'm listening to: Phone conversations with my Mom are challenging.  For the most part she is doing OK but there are things that have happened in the past that are stuck in her head and she talks about them over and over as if they just happened because in her mind they did.  It makes me feel so sad for her.  

What I'm eating: 

Fried chicken sandwich and oven 'fries'.

The last of the beef roast with mashed potatoes and corn.

BIG salad

Biscuits and scrambled eggs

Jalapeno chicken sausage, homemade stove top mac and cheese, salad

Lasagna and salad

Who needs a good slap: The government in Shanghai.  What is going on there is horrible.  

What I'm planning: I'm starting to plan a short trip for next month for my Birthday.  I'm not sure where yet but I need a change of scenery for a day or two.

What's making me smile: Every day I wake up gives me a smile.

I hope everyone that celebrates has a wonder Easter and a great week ahead!!

Things That Make Me Smile

 

I pulled out one of the cartons of eggs to start my deviled eggs.  It's been years since we've colored eggs and I realized who needs to when they are naturally gorgeous.

Enjoy your Saturday!!  It's a gorgeous sunny day here and I'm loving it.

Chicken Tikka Masala

Happy Wednesday!!

A couple of people have asked for my Chicken Tikka Masala recipe.   Here is a link to the recipe I typically use.  https://pinchofyum.com/chicken-tikka-masala

Most all tikka masala recipes are similar but the best thing I like about this recipe is making a batch of the Masala paste to stash in the freezer.  While I LOVE cooking, somedays you need quick and simple without lacking on flavor or nutrition.  The only thing I do differently from her recipe is I either use coconut milk or evaporated milk instead of cream.  In my opinion it doesn't change the tastes and does lower the calories just a bit.

I also like to keep a jar of this in the pantry for quick dinners.  A friend of mine told me about it a couple of years ago and since she is from India I trusted her taste, plus the ingredient list doesn't sound like a science experiment like some jarred sauces do.  Just cook the chicken, add the sauce, let it heat up and serve over rice with Naan or flatbread.   

My Weekly W's

What's top of my mind:  Stuff.  I've been going through everything the last few weeks like I do once or twice a year. I still have a few things to do like my dresser. I have a large collection of gorgeous scarves and shawls and I need to find a better way to store them so I can see them and get to the one I want easily. Any suggestions?  It feels so good to only have what you love and what you actually use.  I found 300.00 in one of the hutch drawers where I keep my table linens.  Not sure why I put it there but I'll take it. 

Where I've been: I worked all week, stopped at Kroger for veggies and milk and filled up the Jeep.  That's it.

Where I'm going: Today we're going to go to Rural King to pick up a few things.  Saturday we have to pick up our meat order and a few things from Market Thyme. While we're out we'll stop at Drakes for lunch. 

What I'm watching: The birds.  We filled both of our large bird feeders last Saturday and we've had so many birds this week that they are both almost empty.  The bird feeders are right in line with our patio door so sitting at the dining room table gives me a clear view. The indigo buntings are just beautiful.

What I'm reading: Cookbooks, blogs and a few articles were the extent of reading this week.

What I'm listening to: The conversations at work are riveting.  It is so interesting to have so many people from different countries giving their prospective on things going on in the world.  Being a part of such a diverse group is one of the biggest things I like about my job. 

What I'm eating: 

BIG salad

Pasta, salad, garlic cheese biscuits

Chicken tika masala and rice

Popovers, eggs and ham

Calzones, salad

Grilled Chicken kabobs, beans and rice

Tonight we're having Wild Alaskan Cod.  

Who needs a good slap: No one particular jumps to mind at the moment. 

What I'm planning: I've been planning out the garden and the planting days.  April 15th is our official last frost date so it's almost time.  A lot of the perennials are coming back which is always nice.

What's making me smile:  Our 32nd Anniversary was Wednesday.  Looking back on our years together and the hopes for the future gave me quite a smile. We have been very fortunate during our journey together and I am very thankful for that.

Happy Sunday!! 

Things That Make Me Smile

 

My Weekly W's

I really can't believe it is April.

Weather is always crazy this time of year.  We rarely get snow but the temps can go from the 70's to the 30's within hours which is exactly what happened this past week.  Now the forecast is for 50's and 60's this week which is a bit more normal.

What's top of my mind: Time and how quickly it goes by.  Life and how we have to remember to really focus on the day to day. All that is going on in the world. War. Inflation. Injustice.  My Mom and how she has her good days and bad days.  When she has good days I can almost forget she is ill.  As you can see, my mind has been all over the place this week.

Where I've been: Work.  One trip to Kroger for perishables and a few items I stocked up on that were actually on sale for a good price.  For an early Anniversary dinner we also took a trip to our favorite restaurant https://ffgrill.com .

Where I'm going: I'll be working all week.  I need to stop by Rural King and pick up Scotts Rapid Grow grass seed and few other things for the yard and garden.  As of now, nothing else planned.

What I'm watching: I watched two cute movies this week.  Little Italy which was pretty funny.  And Love Finds You in Charm.  Also have been following The Julia Child Challenge and Master Chef Kids.  I typically do not go sit in the living room and watch much TV.  I just have it on in the kitchen while cooking or doing odds and ends. 

What I'm reading: The New Making of a Cook by Kamman.  This is going to take a while but it is just full of so much information.

What I'm listening to: We listened to the 70's, 80's on our road trip yesterday.  Funny how I can't remember what I went into a room for sometimes but so many song lyrics are embedded in my brain.

What I'm eating:

Big Salad x 2

Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, asparagus

Egg rolls and rice

Chicken and white bean soup

Saturday was our early anniversary dinner.  I had a flank steak, whipped potatoes, salad and the most amazing house made Ciabatta bread.  The big guy had a salad, Nashville hot fried chicken sandwich and firefly fries.  It was delicious as always.

Who needs a good slap: Will Smith.  He needs to learn to do the virtual slaps instead of really slapping someone on national TV at an awards show. 

What I'm planning: Today I have a few things to get done around the house.  I need to pay the bills.  I need to plan a nice dinner for Wednesday which is our actual Anniversary. Nothing much out of the new ordinary.

What's making me smile: Games.  The big guy and I have played along with Jeopardy every day for years.  We also have started playing cards or a board game pretty much every day.  It's a fun way to spend time together and it's good for our brains.  The big guy is very competitive so it can get pretty funny.

Things That Make Me Smile

 

A homemade chocolate brownie with vanilla bean ice cream, caramel sauce and pecans.

Now how can you not smile??

Happy Friday!!