My Weekly W's

What's top of my mind:  TBG.  He had to have tests for pancreatic cancer and bladder cancer because of a side effect of the Jardiance that the cardiologist put him on.  He also had some sugar in his urine which is another side effect.  He is not diabetic but was told this medication had shown in studies to promote heart health.  He decided to stop taking it Thursday and says the foggy, weird feeling he was having since taking it has stopped.  I think it made his blood sugar go too low but I'm not a doctor.  His repeat echo came back unchanged.  So, two appointments this week with cardiologists and a home sleep study.  It's just so hard to know what the right thing is to do.  

Where I've been:  I took Friday off and ran a few errands that morning.  

Where I'm going:  I'll go with TBG to his two cardiologist appointments.  Other than that, I don't have anything planned yet other than working.

What I'm watching:  Winter and Spring fight it out. March - May in our area is a roller coaster of weather. One day it's 27 the next day is 70.  Wearing layers is especially important this time of year.  This week is supposed to be the same.  

What I'm reading:  I'm going through notebooks and old journals reading a bit as I go. I can tell you from old entries that setting a solid goal, visualizing it and working on it really does get you there.  I'm cutting out things that I want to keep and putting them in a folder and the rest is going.  I have a large picnic basket that is filled with brand new, really nice notebooks, that I'm vowing to use. I inherited my love of nice stationery, notebooks and pens from my mom.  Looking at the pile of books I realize she gave me most of them.

What I'm eating:

I made a loaf of bread to eat through the week.  The low humidity in winter is the best time for baking.  The bread comes out beautiful.

BIG salad with green goddess dressing and a slice of bread.

Veggie pasta and salad 

Fried chicken sandwich with slaw and sweet potato fries

LO Indian Chili with Jalapeno poppers

Roasted chicken, mashed potatoes and roasted broccoli.

Chicken fajita nacho salad with homemade guacamole.  I've convinced TBG how good avocados are for his heart health.  

Tonight I'm having a steak and TBG is having cod.  

I have 5 gorgeous poblano peppers that I need to char grill today too so I'm cooking the meat on it too.

Who needs a good slap:  I do.  For years I have used a spiral notebook or a hardcover bound notebook for the year.  I stopped using planners because it just didn't seem like they kept me as organized and a lot of things in them I didn't use.  I don't know why but this year I wanted to try a planner again and it's only taken a month or two for me to remember they don't work for me.  It's pretty and it 'should' work but it doesn't so this week I'm going back to my old way.  Two slaps for me for thinking it would work this time and for wasting the money on it.

What's making me smile: An evening ice cream run to Yellen Hellen's.  So good and such a cute place.

I hope everyone is doing well and has a wonderful week ahead.

52 Recipes in 52 Weeks #6 Nana's Soft Jam Cookies

One of my projects for 2024 is to try one new recipe each week for the year.  These will be chosen from all of the flagged pages in cookbooks that I have or from the file of 'need to try' recipes.  I will try new desserts, main dishes, side dishes and breads.

My Mom, who is also a cookbook hoarder lover bought me a number of these Gooseberry Patch Cookbooks years ago.  They are fun to look through because of all the tips and quotes written throughout.  There also are a lot of fun ideas for holidays, parties and making meals fun.  I have to say though that I think this is the first time I have tried a recipe from one and I was not disappointed.  

It is a super easy recipe, and you can use any of your favorite jams.  One thing did confuse me a bit.  It says to use 1/2 teaspoon of cookie dough.  I thought it has to be bigger than this but I followed the recipe.  The 1/2 teaspoon must be correct because the cook time was on point.  But, the recipe says it makes 24 cookies but when I made them, I had 42 cookies.  So all a bit odd.  

The cookies are a bit browner than this picture detects.  I used Raspberry Jam which is the perfect sweet, tart to go with the cookies that is a lovely texture, not soft, not hard.  We both give the taste a 9. And Dr. E said they were fabulous. :-)   The only issue was the conflicting information in the recipe.  I will be making these again.

52 Recipes in 52 Weeks #5 Indian Spiced Chili

One of my projects for 2024 is to try one new recipe each week for the year.  These will be chosen from all of the flagged pages in cookbooks that I have or from the file of 'need to try' recipes.  I will try new desserts, main dishes, side dishes and breads.

I found this new to me recipe on the blog https://adayinthelifeonthefarm.blogspot.com/  Indian Spiced Chili

Ingredients:

2 T. Olive Oil

1 Vidalia onion, diced

4 mini sweet peppers, seeded and diced.  She used a combination of red, orange and yellow.  I used orange and green bell peppers that I had on hand.

6 cloves garlic, minced

1 jalapeno, seeded and diced

1 T. garam masala

1 T. sweet paprika

salt and pepper to taste

1 lb. lean ground beef

2 (15 oz.) cans diced tomatoes with juices

1 T. brown sugar

1 (15 oz.) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 (15 oz.) can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 (15 oz.) can sweet corn, drained (I did not use this as we no longer eat corn)

sour cream and shredded cheese for serving if desired

Instructions:

Heat the oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.  Add the onion, season with salt and pepper, and cook for a minute or two, until fragrant and translucent.

Add the peppers, garlic and jalapeno and continue to cook until onions turn golden, another few minutes.

Stir in the garam masala and paprika, coating the vegetable and then add the ground beef to the pot.

Cook and stir, breaking down the beef until browned.  Stir in the tomatoes with their juices and the brown sugar, cook for another few minutes.

Add the beans, corn (if using), mix well, and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to a simmer, cover and cook for about 30 minutes.

Serve with sour cream and shredded cheese, if desired.

We both LOVE chili of various kinds so I was really looking forward to making this when I found the recipe.  It was a very cold weekend so a perfect opportunity to try it.  We both really enjoyed it.  TBG talked about it quite a few times and remarked that he is happy there are two large bowls left for two more dinners.  There is a lot of flavor in the dish and it had that warming spice feeling like Indian food does.  

I highly suggest trying this chili while we are still in winter.  It really is GOOD!!

 

My Weekly W's

What's on my mind:  Honestly, sometimes I have a tendency to think too much.  There's some worry about various things, then there is work, home, family and friends and of course the world as a whole.  I'm really working on clearing my mind and just being in the moment.  It doesn't always work but I am going to keep trying.  Even just 10 minutes sitting quietly and just focusing on my breathing really makes a difference.

Where I've been:  I went to my hairdresser to get a much-needed haircut.  It's always good to see him and to have someone do your hair.  A little pampering goes a long way.  TBG and I met for a quick lunch.  It really makes my workday a bit better to get out of the office for a bit.  And I always love time with TBG.

Where I'm going:  Right now, there is nothing on my schedule other than work.  But TBG has two doctor appointments, and we have to get him in to the dentist because Friday one of his teeth broke.  I would be stressed if I had all of that in one week, but it doesn't seem to faze him.  He's such a calming soul.

What I'm watching:  I spent a lot of time in the kitchen Friday and Saturday, and I had Diners, Drive Ins and Dives on.  I really do enjoy that show and seeing the creativity in so many different chefs and cooks. Have you eaten at any of the restaurants that have been featured on the show?  I've only been to two.  We went to Charlie Parkers in Springfield and Mama's Mustard and Pickles in Louisville.  Both were good but I'd like to visit more places.

What I'm reading:  I started reading Living Good Daily.

What I'm eating:

Sunday TBG requested Nacho Fried Chicken.  We had that with Jalapeno poppers and rice.  I made the poppers by adding a long strip of cheddar cheese, covering that in cream cheese and then coating them in flour, egg and crushed nacho chips.  I cooked them in the air fryer, and they came out AMAZING  I want them again very soon.

LO spicey chicken and white bean soup with cornbread

BIG salad

Lamb chops, baked potato and salad

Pan pizza and salad.  I usually make thin crust pizza but decided to try a pan pizza.  We both really enjoy it with a salad and creamy Italian dressing.  I don't know why but I took a picture of it before cooking and not one after.  The Ninja foodie really does cook pizza better than the oven can.

BIG salad

Beef cheeseburgers with oven fries

I'm not sure what's on the menu tonight but it will include chicken.  

We actually had to many bananas which doesn't usually happen so I was happy to make a banana bread with pecans.  

Who needs a good slap:  

What I'm planning:  I'm starting to think about the garden this year.  I don't want to do too much but do want my favorite veggies and herbs.  I'm also thinking about our Anniversary in April.  I want to a day trip or weekend away.  Not sure what yet.

What is making me smile:  We finally had a measurable snow!!  Friday when I left work at 1:30, the rain was starting to turn to a mixture of ice and snow.  Our weather people said 1-2 inches and that usually means maybe a dusting.  By 5 pm we had 5 inches and it was SO cold but so beautiful out. 

I hope every is staying safe and enjoying the weekend.  Wishing you all a wonderful week!!

My Weekly W's

What's top of my mind:  Living in the moment and appreciating all of those small joys that really do make life worth living.  Time goes by so quickly but when I embrace each day as the special gift that it is, things seem to slow down a bit.  We've had a few really cold days and a little dusting of snow but this winter has been above normal in temperatures so far which has my internal clock confused.  I have had to remind myself a few times that it's only February not March.

Where I've been:  TBG and I had lunch at a new to us 'biker bar'.  I had a fried chicken sandwich, he had a fried fish sandwich, and we shared an order of onion rings.  The place was really clean, the service was wonderful, and the food was really good.  We'll go back to try their burgers sometime soon.  

Where I'm going:  Thursday I have a hair appointment and Saturday we're going to Fairview Heights to do a bit of shopping.  Other than that, I'll be at work or at home.  I'm still trying to hibernate as much as I can right now.  I've been seeing so much about Hygge, I guess I am not alone.

What I'm watching:  The latest series of Fab 5.  I know it's a reality show and that we don't know what all goes on behind the scenes, but I do love this show.  It never fails that I end up in happy tears at the end of a majority of them.  TBG watched one with me and HE even had tears of joy. We also watched the first episode of Griselda.   I wouldn't exactly say it hooked me, but I do want to see how everything plays out since I remember her and the 'true' events. 

What I'm reading:  I finished The City Girls Guide to Baking and really enjoyed it.  The other day I took a box into the office to go through books on the bookshelves.  I realized that I have a number of books that I haven't read yet and that it is time.  So instead of buying anything or going to the library I'm going to focus on the books I have that are yelling out Read Me.  The first one is Downhome.  An Anthology of Southern Women Writers. I opened the book and realized a friend of mine sent it to me probably 25 years ago because she knows how much I enjoy reading Southern Literature.  If I hadn't included the card she sent saying that I, wouldn't have even remembered.  I'm looking forward to what other treasures I may find.

What I'm eating:  

Spicy northern bean and chicken soup

Pasta, meat sauce, salad and garlic, parm bread sticks

Thai chicken, veggie and noodle bow.

LO beef and bean chili

BBQ chicken, scalloped potatoes and salad

Stuffed shells, salad and garlic, parm bread sticks

Tonight, TBG has requested nacho chicken legs. 

I didn't make a new recipe last week, but I will catch up.  I'm still shooting for 52 in 52 weeks.  

Who needs a good slap: One particular pharmaceutical rep. visited my office (which she set out on her own to find and bypassed the kiosk she is supposed to sign in to) wanting to do a lunch with the doctors.  I explained that the hospital has a policy against pharm rep lunches and that the hospital was unusually busy and took her number telling her I would call when it was a good time.  Well, she appeared again this week with a box of cookies thinking that would change things, I guess.  I again told her that I would call when they could meet with her and that I had given out the information on the COPD treatment that she is peddling, and she didn't need to waste her time coming up every week.  I know it is her job to sell her companies product but when I come across pushy, rude people, I have a tendency to push back.  It's one of my flaws.  She deserves 4 slaps. 

What is making me smile:  Binx getting fresh air on one of our warmer days this week.  He is fascinated with looking up at the sky.  

I hope everyone is doing well.  What is going on in your world?

Things That Make Me Smile

I've been wanting a new pair of cafe curtains for the kitchen to use in Spring and Summer to lighten things up and I found a pair that I love.  They are from Seams Original on Etsy and the quality and craftmanship are wonderful. I smile when I see them.