My Weekly W's

What's top of my mind:  For a number of years, I have been looking for a local organization to volunteer time and resources to.  I have checked out a few but for one reason or another they didn't feel like a good fit for us.  Last weekend we went to a fund raiser dinner, and I do believe we have found what we were looking for.  Next Sunday we are going to another meeting to get more information and I'm really hoping they are as community/service based as I think they are. 

Where I've been:  Work, farmers market, library and home.  

Where I'm going:  Saturday is the local Fall festival, and we'll probably go.  There is a parade, music, food trucks and if nothing else, just a good walk around downtown.  Sunday we're going to the organization I mentioned above.  Other than work, I have no solid plans on anything else.

What I'm watching:  I've mentioned the series Down to Earth before.  Yesterday I watched 4 more episodes on Sardinia, Lima, Puerto Rico and London.  It is amazing to see what these places are doing and have done to make life better and healthier for their residents.  It is upsetting that I don't see much of this in the US. 

What I'm reading: Deep Dish by Mary Kay Andrews.  This was a delicious treat full of southern wit and charm.  I've always enjoyed Southern Lit.  

What I'm eating:  

Big Salad x 2

Moroccan Lamb meatballs, rice and naan

Steak, wings, baked potato and salad

Cod and salad

Chicken, potato salad, salad

Tonight, we're going to have the leftover meatballs with patty pan squash.

I tried a new to me salad dressing recipe this week for Greek Salad and it is really tasty.

1/3 cup red wine vinegar

1 clove of garlic minced

2 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon oregano

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1/2 cup olive oil

pinch of salt and pepper

Who needs a good slap:  Insurance companies.  It seems now whether it is health, home or car insurance they want to fight every single claim.  I have friends in SW Florida that had their home insurance companies bail on them after last falls huge hurricane. Now they cannot get new insurance because they have a claim filed with these companies.  I've been dealing with all of the EOB's for the big guy's eye surgery in June.  I work in healthcare, and it's been a struggle for me to keep up so I can't imagine what someone either older or unfamiliar with the system have to go through.  5 slaps!!  

What's making me smile:

For the last few weeks, the hummingbirds have been zooming around the yard.  This little guy posed for me so I could get a photo.  

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and joy filled week!!  What's been making you smile?

My Weekly W's

What's top of my mind:  The patio garden.  As soon as I finish this post, I'm going to go out and cut more basil for another batch to dry and another batch of pesto for the freezer.  Then later this afternoon I'm going to get pots ready for another round of lettuce, coriander, radishes, cilantro and get my garlic planted for next year.  I also picked up two packets of edible flowers to try for one of the doctors I work with.  He is very into gourmet cooking and requested these.  I'm excited to see how they turn out. 

Where I've been:  I have two friends that I used to work with and prior to the lockdowns we used to meet once a month for dinner.  The last dinner we had was at my house in December 2019.  We finally decided to start meeting again and it's really been fun.  Wednesday night I laughed more than I have in a very long time.  Aside from dinner out and work, I didn't go anywhere else.

Where I'm going:  Today we're going for a benefit lunch that I'm looking forward to.  Other than work, I have no plans so far.

What I'm watching:  I didn't watch much this week but did catch the latest episode of Southern Charm.  

What I'm reading:  Cassoulet Confessions by Sylvie Bigar. "Sylvie tripped my trigger.  I love the journey she takes us on!" From Andrew Zimmerman. I am enjoying it.

What I'm eating:

I made the first pot of soup this fall since our temperatures went way down. I made my spicey chicken and white bean soup and served it with cornbread.  It was so good.

BIG salad

Dinner out so I fixed a bowl of grits and eggs for the big guy.  He loves it.

Left over soup with cheese roll ups.

Pickle juice marinated chicken legs, baked potato and small salad

Homemade pasta with veggies and basil pesto, small salad You can tell it's getting darker out earlier by the darkness of the photo.

Who needs a good slap:  I have nothing this week.  I guess that is a good thing.

What I'm planning:  Now that the humidity has gone way down, I'm excited to plan new recipes.  I'd really like to do a new one every week but I'm going to start with two a month and hopefully by the new year I can make a goal of one a week.  There are just so many wonderful recipes I want to try and cooking really is a big stress reliever.

What's making me smile:  The cooler temperatures.  I know we'll have more warm days possibly through November, but the cooler air has been so nice. It is feeling like Fall.  

Wishing everyone a wonderful week.  What are you all up to?

My Weekly W's

What's top of my mind:  Stocking up for the winter.  The last few weeks I've been doing inventory and stocking up on everything.  I am making my last list to pick things up this weekend and then we should be set other than quick trips for fresh veggies and fruit and dairy products.  Long before Covid we've avoided restaurants and shopping as much as possible in late fall and winter.  Too many people do not stay home when they are sick, and I don't want to catch even a cold. And worse is the big guy getting sick.  He tends to be VERY dramatic when he doesn't feel well.

Where I've been:  Aldi, the library, and breakfast out on Saturday. We also went to the city park for the last Market Days of the season. It has food trucks and vendors of all kinds.  We usually just go for the walk, but I did find a cute Hocus Pocus T shirt with Binx jumping on one of their backs.  I had to get it because he does that to me all the time.  I'll just pair it with black leggings and my witch's hat for giving out candy on Halloween.  It was a 4-day work week, but I swear sometimes they seem even longer somehow.

Where I'm going: I'll make one last trip to stock up on Saturday, then Sunday we're going to the Elks for a chicken dinner benefit. Their fried chicken dinner tastes just like my grandmothers did, so I am looking forward to that.  Other than that, work and home.

What I'm watching:  Live to 100...Secrets of the Blue Zone on Netflix.  I've watched the first 4 episodes and have really enjoyed it.  I've read a few books about the blue zones and Ikigai but watching this series visit people in their communities and hearing them tell their stories is even better.  I highly recommend it.

What I'm reading:  I'm halfway through Welcome to Beach Town.  I read for a few hours yesterday when I should have been getting things done because it is one of those books that I just don't want to put down.  

What I'm eating:

BIG salad x2

Leftover meatballs, pasta and salad

Lamb burgers, zucchini fries

Chicken Tikka Masala, rice, Naan

Chicken and veggie egg rolls

 

Who needs a good slap: The cashier at Aldi.  I know they are timed when checking people out, but he was downright rude. The only word he spoke was when he told me the total.  He whipped the cart around just as I was removing my purse then hit me with the other cart while turning it around.  No apology at all. I started to say something but I'm sure it would have been lost on him. I give him 3 slaps.  

Have you noticed how horrible customer service is now?

What's making me smile: Ticking things off my to do list.  I took two boxes of stuff to Goodwill this week. I'm not a fan of GW but we have no other option here.  There is a FB group to offer free stuff but last year when I used that to give away our old Christmas tree it was a pain.  

Wishing you all a wonderful Sunday!!

Stuffed beef meatballs

This is my very simple but moist and delicious recipe for stuffed beef meatballs.

1 pound ground beef

1 cup breadcrumbs-I don't use Panko for this recipe.  I usually just shred up a slice or two of any bread that we have around.

1 small onion, shredded

1 egg

1 1/2 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 teaspoon dried oregano

Mozzarella cheese- Either pearls of mozzarella or cut into die sized pieces.

Mix together all of the ingredients except the ground beef. 

Once all of the ingredients are combined, add the ground beef and mix together.

Form golf ball sized meatballs and put a thumb print in the center.  Place the pearl or die sized piece of cheese, press in a little and then shape into a ball.

Bake on a lined baking sheet for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.  You could also Air fry for 20 minutes at 350 degrees or you can shallow fry, turning once or twice for 15 minutes.  

Add to a simmering pot of your favorite tomato pasta sauce and simmer for another 10-15 minutes.

The meatballs come out so moist and flavorful. 

I serve over bucatini pasta and save the leftovers for Meatball subs.  I wish I would have taken a picture of a cut meatball with the cheese lava coming out but I was too busy eating at that point.

In My Kitchen

Hello and Happy September.  My mind is having a bit of trouble processing that there are only 4 months of the year left.  Crazy!.

August was a busy month in my kitchen between the garden, dehydrating and canning but it will all pay off this Fall and Winter when I can cook with summer goodness.  This is my first time doing portobello mushrooms and I can't wait to use them. I didn't grow garlic this past year like I usually do so I was thrilled when my favorite farmer had it at the market.  It is delicious garlic too.  I'll be planting mine for next year soon.

Of course, I've enjoyed my share of summer foods.  I lost count on how many BLT's we have had.  Every meal has been full of veggies and herbs.  And I can't go a summer without a plate of fried green tomatoes. This is a delicious summer treat.  

A new cookbook was added to my collection this month and I'm looking forward to sitting down and reading it.  

Speaking of cookbooks, this is my hutch that sits between the kitchen and dining room.  It is filled with all of my cookbooks.  I took everything down, gave it a good clean and reorganized the books.  That was a task.

For my curveball this month I have gifts that we received from Japan.  The doll is for me and the painting is for the big guy.  I just love them both.

This is my contribution to IMK hosted by Sherry's Kitchen.  Be sure to head over to her site to see what is going on in kitchens all over the world.