My Weekly W's

What's top of my mind:

I love the winter and I love hibernating, but the seasons come and go.  I noticed this week that the frogs are croaking away in the morning and the birds are loudly singing.  Spring is coming.  Our temperatures have been up and down like a roller coaster.  Last week after a rain storm this view caught my attention from the kitchen window.  I need to charge my camera so I can get better pictures than the phone does.

Where I've been:

I had a three-day work free weekend and other than picking up a few groceries and having lunch out on Friday with the big guy, we haven't been anywhere.  Apparently, he isn't in the mood to go anywhere right now either. Go figure!

Where I'm going:

Probably much of the same this week.  Work and home.  I've tried to think of places I want to go or things I want to do but I basically just enjoy being home right now.  If you would have told me a few years ago that I would want to spend so much time at home instead of traveling or going out with friends, I would have never thought that possible.  I don't know if this is a product of the pandemic or the state of the world, or that I'm just getting older, but I'm perfectly happy with this. 

What I'm watching:

We watched a few episodes of Firefly Lane's second season, and also watched the first episode of The British Bake Off, Professional series.  I don't know if I really like this one.  I need to watch more to decide.

What I'm reading:

I finished Midnight Chicken and really enjoyed it. I have around 10 recipes flagged to try soon.  Now I've started The Year of Miracles and I'm enjoying this one even more.  I've always been a fan of embracing the different seasons and living mindfully and this just reinforces that.

What I'm listening to:

Right now the house is totally silent and I'm loving it.  I can only hear the tapping of the laptop keys. 

 

What I'm eating:

Big salad with garlic and cheese biscuits

Cheeseburgers and oven fried potatoes

Wings for the big guy, steak for me with loaded baked potatoes and salad

Lamb meatballs, rice and naan.  I made Peruvian green sauce to go with it and that was delicious.

Hot turkey and cheese sandwiches with salad

BBQ chicken, corn and mashed potatoes

Who needs a good slap:

"Anonymous" who left the comment on last week's W's "No one deserves a slap. Violence is terrible."

Relax.  I do not condone violence and the slaps are virtual.  You won't even feel the two I've sent out to you.

What I'm planning:

I'm working on garden plans for the year.  Our last frost is usually the second week of April so time is of the essence. 

What's making me smile:

Every morning after I get out of the shower and start to do my face and hair, Binx lets me know he'd really appreciate it if I turned the water on for him.  I gladly indulge him.  

Wishing everyone a great Sunday and week ahead!!  Stay safe!!

5 Favorite Restaurants

This was a very hard one to pick only 5 favorites for.  I've eaten at a lot of very good places over my lifetime.  What I used as my criteria is quality of food, atmosphere and the people and celebrations I had at these particular restaurants.  

Bob's Big Boy-Decatur Illinois

In the 1970's and early 1980's I spent a lot of Saturdays with my paternal grandmother.  We would do her shopping and any errands that she had to run.  Sometimes we would stop by Flavorkist where she was an Administrative Assistant to the owner and see her friends at work.  The day almost always ended up with us having lunch. My grandmother loved to have lunch out and since I was her eldest granddaughter, I was the chosen one to join her.  I remember Bob's Big Boy was one of her favorites. Thinking about her made me realize today would have been her 97th birthday.  She passed away 7 years ago and I still miss those days so much. 

Elams-Decatur, Illinois

Elams was a locally owned drive-in restaurant that had servers on roller-skates that brought your food out to you on a tray that hung on the car window.  Anyone remember these? This was a spot that my dad would take me to occasionally for lunch.  I LOVED the pork tenderloin sandwich that was as big as my head, onion rings and their famous root beer.  Once I got my driver's license, it was one of my favorite places to go with a few friends.  They closed in 1989 but Del's Popcorn Shop bought their root beer recipe, so it lives on.

Silver Spoon Cafe-Ft. Myers, Florida

Southwest Florida is filled with amazing restaurants that we frequented often but Silver Spoon Cafe was one of our top favorites.  They had amazing salads with the most delicious honey mustard dressing you have ever had.  We convinced them to sell us a pint more than once.  I usually had the jerk chicken, and the big guy loved their fish and their ribs.  It was where we celebrated a lot of Fridays, Birthdays and enjoyed many meals with friends there.  Sadly, it closed around 2004.

9th Street Grill-Mt. Vernon, Illinois

This restaurant opened around the same time we moved here in 2005 and quickly became our new favorite place to go.  The food here was truly amazing.  They made all of their breads and sauces and cooked everything to perfection.  The first thing they brought to the table with your drinks was a loaf of the most delicious poppyseed bread you've ever had.  Their blackened chicken sandwich on homemade chi batá buns was one of my favorites and the sauce they made for the fries is something I've tried to recreate many times.  Delicious pizza, bison burgers and salmon were also delicious choices that we enjoyed.  Sadly, they closed to move to another state in 2012.  We ate there the last night they were open and actually scored an awesome 7-foot-tall industrial bakers rack for 40 bucks, but I'd give it back in a heartbeat to have another meal there.

Firefly Grill-Effingham, Illinois

I've mentioned this one frequently on here. Firefly Grill is our go to spot now for a delicious lunch or dinner.  Sunday brunch is delicious also. This is pretty much where we celebrate all of our special occasions now.  It's a Farm to Table restaurant that does everything from scratch with local ingredients. They also grow a lot of herbs and veggies themselves right next to the restaurant. You can sit inside the gorgeous dining room, out on the patio or inside looking out at their pond that is filled with fish you can feed. Everything we have tried has been superb.  

Do you have any favorites now or from the past that stick out in your mind?  I'd love to hear about them.

My Weekly W's

What's top of my mind:  Lunch time at work.  Sometimes I have lunch with one of the doctors and occasionally we have lunch as a group but probably 85% of the time I have lunch by myself.  I typically take my lunch because hospital cafeteria food is not good.  Well, ours isn't anyway.  I've gotten in the bad habit of eating at my desk while I check emails or go through paperwork.  This week I put a stop to that and had lunch every day at the conference table and read for 30 minutes.  It was wonderful and I don't know why I haven't been doing this all along.  This is a new habit that will be easy to keep.  

Where I've been:  Well, another fascinating week that took me to work, home and trip for veggies.  I have to say I'm ok with this right now.

Where I'm going:  I took next Friday off, and the big guy and I are going to go out of town to do a bit of food shopping and have lunch.  I think he needs a day out.

What I'm watching:  The weather went from 70 degrees on Wednesday to 27 degrees and snowing on Friday was harsh to say the least.  It looks like another week of rollercoaster weather.  

What I'm reading: From Midnight Chicken.  "The world is so hard, and life is so short you must make things lovely where you can.  You have to make mundane things like packed lunches into something glorious and important and worth having.  You have to make ordinary days' worth having, is the thing-and investing a bit of time in what you eat and where you eat (which is really investing a bit of time in looking after yourself) is one of the easiest ways to do it."  This really spoke to me.

What I'm listening to:  I'm playing music in the evenings, and it really does help destress from the workday.

What I'm eating: 

Spicey chicken and white bean soup with a cheese roll up.

Valentines Day!  I made lamb chops, garlic mashed potatoes and a salad.

Beef sausage and veggie pasta, salad and no knead bread.

Chicken fajita loaded nachos.  YUM!

Pizza and salad

Beef stroganoff with garlic toast.  I cooked the meat in the crockpot all day and the smell was heavenly. 

For lunch last Sunday I made ham, cheese and dill pickle eggrolls.  OMG they were delicious.  Another eggroll creation to add to the list.  We don't usually eat deli meat but when I got off early friday it was cold and all I was craving was a hot sandwich for lunch.  I stopped by Kroger and saw Romanian style Pastrami so I bought half a pound.  A hot pastrami with cheese and dejon mustard made an awesome lunch.

Who needs a good slap:  There are just so many right now.  It's hard to choose just one.

What I'm planning:  No planning right now.  I'm working on my project list for the year.  We ordered a new garage door and opener which should be here in 4 weeks.  I'm glad to check that off.  We weren't having trouble with it yet, but it was installed in 1992 and probably just waiting for the worse time to croak so I wanted this done.

What is making me smile:  We almost always celebrate Valentines Day with a nice dinner at home and a small gift.  This year was chocolates for me and a really sweet card from the big guy.  It was perfect for us.   

I hope everyone is well.  Enjoy your Sunday!!

Things That Make Me Smile

 

My Weekly W's

What's top of my mind:  What is going on in our airspace?  High altitude objects?  We'll probably never know the truth.

Where I've been:  I stopped and picked up produce and dairy on Friday after work.  I get off at 2pm so I was able to beat the crowds.  Saturday, we packed up Binx and ran to the bank.  We're taking him on quick trips, so he doesn't associate his carrier or getting in the Jeep as anything bad.  I bought a leash for him so he can go out in the backyard with me.  He was fine with the leash but a bit uncertain about going out.  He did make it out onto the back patio but was ready to go back in when the neighbor's dog started barking.  I think after a few trips out he'll learn to love it.

Where I'm going: No solid plans for the week yet.

What I'm watching: I was watching CBS Sunday Morning and they had a story on the history of love songs.  I had forgotten how many great love songs there have been.  I do need to start playing music again more, especially when I'm home in the evenings puttering around the house like I used to.

What I'm reading:  Still working through the King Arthur Baking Class and Midnight Chicken.

What I'm listening to:  Nothing much.

What I'm eating: 

Chicken Fajita, rice

"Hot chicken wing" cauliflower and salad.  This is so good even the big guy enjoys it.

Lamb burgers and oven fries

BIG salad

Chili from the freezer and cornbread muffins

Spicey chicken soup with cheese roll ups.  I used goat cheese with cilantro and a touch of pepper jelly, and they were delicious. 

Who needs a good slap: The kids and school administrators in the NJ school where the 14-year-old girl was beat up, bullied and then committed suicide.  The school failed this poor child and it's heartbreaking.

What I'm planning:  I was planning a big party for the big guy's Birthday, but he doesn't really want one SO now to plan a simpler way to celebrate him.  Ican understand because I'm not big on parties for myself anymore either, so we'll figure out something.

What's making me smile:  We've had some really beautiful sunny days.  The sunrise and sunset has just been gorgeous all week.  

I have been slacking on posting new recipes and hope to find time to do that at least once a week. I hope everyone is well.  Enjoy your Sunday.  

My Weekly W's

What's top of my mind: Too much loss.  Almost everyone I talk to has unexpectedly lost friends or family in the last couple of months.  This week the big guy lost a friend that was only 51.  Death is always sad no matter the age or circumstance but for so many people to pass lately that are relatively young really makes you stop and put life in perspective.

Where I've been: We did go out to breakfast yesterday and really enjoyed it.  Other than that and work, I didn't go anywhere.

Where I'm going: Other than work, no plans as of yet.  I don't think we'll need any groceries as we are pretty stocked up.  The weather is supposed to be pretty decent this week so I may venture out into the backyard.  lol

What I'm watching: I had Modern Family on while cooking this week.  I just love that family.

What I'm reading: Midnight Chicken

What I'm listening to: Keeping it quiet when possible.

What I'm eating:

Cheeseburger egg rolls, air fried potato wedges

BIG salad

Chicken fajita, rice and cheese roll up

Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and salad

Stuffed shells, salad and garlic knots.  I cut leftover meatloaf into cubes and added it to pasta sauce and made two pans of stuffed shells. One is uncooked and in the freezer for another meal. Each pan gives us a dinner for two and a lunch for me.

Coho salmon, rice and brussel sprouts

Tonight, I'm roasting a chicken but haven't decided on sides yet.

I also found some beautiful and delicious Florida strawberries that I made into a batch of jam.  It is SO good.  I tried a pectin free recipe for the first time and even though it was just a bit looser than normal, but it was good and I'm going to experiment with a bit more lemon juice to see if I can get the consistency I like.

Who needs a good slap: China officials.  They seriously said that the US overreacted by shooting down whatever it really was that they sent into our air space.  Unbelievable. 

What I'm planning: The big guy's birthday is in July and I'm planning a party.  We don't usually celebrate with parties, but I think after everything that's happened the last three or four years, we need to this year.

What's making me smile: Eight months ago yesterday we rescued Binx.  I can't believe he'll be a year-old next month.  Binx is unlike any cat we've ever had with more energy than I've ever seen.  This winter he has started snuggling though which is nice.  He's definitely brought a lot of love and laughter into our lives.

How was your week?

I hope everyone is doing well.  Stay safe!!

In My Kitchen-January 2023

I can't believe the first month of the new year is already behind us.  I feel like I was just getting ready for Halloween.

After all of the holidays and preparing for Spring cleaning and gardening season, January is a pretty low-key month in my kitchen, but I still wanted to participate in Sherry's In My Kitchen since I've been enjoying reading them for quite a while.  

I make almost all of our food from scratch.  It's how my grandmother did and how I always have. Aside from loving to cook and eat, I like to know what is in my food.  I do however have three favorite cheat items that I always have in the pantry to save me time when I'm in a pinch without sacrificing flavor.

Rao's is the only jarred pasta sauce I will use.  The ingredients and the flavor are superb.  Maya Kaimal's Tikka Masala is another amazing product.  Maya is a chef, author and entrepreneur that has a line of amazing Indian sauces.  

I also always have a jar of Better Than Bouillion.  It takes just half a teaspoon to add amazing flavor to so many dishes.  

We order fish twice a year and the first shipment arrived in January.  Since moving away from Florida we've been purchasing Sea to Table for years and I've never been disappointed. I love knowing where my food comes from and I highly recommend.  The Main Red Fish and Coho Salmon are my favorites.

I've been hearing a lot about Ella Risbridger's books Midnight Chicken and The Year of Miracles, so I had to order them.  I've just started reading but I can already tell I am going to LOVE these books.  They are part memoir, part cookbook and beautifully illustrated. 

That is all I have for January. I hope everyone is staying well and safe.  Thank you sherrys pickings for hosting.  

My Weekly W's

What's top of my mind:  My mind is all over the place. Work was bit stressful this week.  Since we lost a lot of our permanent doctors, I think the group is going through an adjustment phase and it isn't good.  I'm worried about the World as a whole. So much violence, prices through the roof among so many other things. The big guy is sick for the second time in just over a month.  It's nothing serious and he was checked out by his doctor, but it just seems like he keeps catching things and he never did before. Hopefully this week will be a bit calmer.

Where I've been: Work, home and one trip to the store for fruit, veggies and dairy.  Don't be jealous of my adventurous life.  

Where I'm going:  This depends on the weather.  If it is as cold as they say it's going to be I'll probably again just go back and forth to work.  I always take advantage of this time of year to be home.

What I'm watching:  We caught up on Kids Baking Championship.  It just blows my mind how talented these kids are.  

What I'm reading:  I bought Midnight Chicken and Other Recipes Worth Living For along with The Year of Miracles...recipes about love and grief and growing things.  By Ella Risbridger.  They are part memoir, part cookbooks and both beautifully illustrated.  I can't wait to start reading them this week.  I've also been reading up on dehydrating as I plan to do a LOT of that this summer.

What I'm listening to: As little as possible.  I find myself enjoying the quiet more and more as I get older.

What I'm eating:

BBQ chicken, mashed potato patties, salad

Veggie Pasta, salad

Steak, baked sweet potato, salad

Beef and bean Chili, cheese and crackers

Moroccan Lamb meatballs, rice, Naan

Spicy chicken Kielbasa, Baked potato and garlic knots

This morning for brunch I made chicken and waffles.  SO good.  The siracha maple syrup brings it all together.

Dinner tonight will be left over lamb meatballs with a butter, garlic, parm pasta and salad.

What I'm planning:  I'm still doing my spring cleaning.  I've taken two large boxes to the thrift store and one computer tower and monitor to Staples.  If you need to get rid of things like that, they have a long list of what they will take free of charge to recycle.  My goal is to be completely done by the end of February which is totally doable. 

Who needs a good slap:  Everyone involved in the murder of Tyre Nichols.  Jim Jordan made the comment that "There's no law that can stop that level of evil."  I totally agree.

What's making me smile:  Ticking things off of my to do list and reviewing my intentions list for the year every day helps keep me sane.  And that is worth a smile.  I can't control the outside world, but I can control what I do and how I react to it all.

Stay warm and safe and have a wonderful Sunday!!

My Weekly W's

What's top of my mind:  My lifelong best friend lost her sister on Christmas and three blogger friends have also unexpectedly lost spouses.  When life changing things like this happen there really are no words to express how sorry I am for what they're going through.  It is a big reminder to focus on those we deeply love because that truly is all that is important in life.

Where I've been:  Friday the big guy and I had lunch at a new restaurant here in town. We were not impressed at all so won't be going back.  

Where I'm going:  We have no plans this week. 

What I'm watching:  I watched That 90's Show this weekend and really enjoyed it. They did a wonderful job of combining the past show with the present one. Red and Kitty are as fabulous as ever.

What I'm reading:  I didn't read much this week.  I've mentioned before that I typically do most of my yearly reading in the warmer months because I enjoy sitting outside reading.  I'm not sure why it's so hard for me to pick up a book during the winter.  You would think this would be the perfect time of year to curl up with a good book.

What I'm listening to:  We had a lunch meeting this week with the Patient Experience leader.  She talked about the damage the last three years have done to society.  People are madder, people are distant.  Relationships are strained. She stressed the importance of selfcare and compassion for others as the way we will turn this around.  

What I'm eating:

BIG salad

Left over spicy chicken soup. 

Meatloaf, baked potato and green beans.

Veggie pasta, salad and garlic bread.

Pizza and salad

Cheeseburger eggrolls and oven fries

Tonight, I am roasting a chicken and serving with mashed potatoes and either salad or corn.

Who needs a good slap:  Another mass shooter!!  I just have no words for this.

What I'm planning:  This week I did a bit of deep cleaning and decluttering which will continue this week.  I'm making a want/need list as I go through each room and it seems so far there will be quite a bit of painting in my future.

What's making me smile:  I woke up to get a drink of water about 2 am and I noticed how bright it seemed outside, so I went to look out.  Everything was covered in snow, and it was coming down in huge flakes. The sidewalks and roads are clear because it's been so warm, but the trees and every other surface is coated, and it is gorgeous.  Snow makes me smile because we really do not get much most years.

I'm off to get my day started.  I hope everyone is well.  Remember to hug your loved ones and appreciate all of the small joys in life as it's all we really have. 

5 Favorite Cookbooks

 

Good Housekeeping Illustrated Cookbook-This book was actually my mom's.  She bought it in the early 80's and I used to love flipping through it looking at all of the pictures and the descriptions of each recipe and technique in cooking.  She gave it to me a few years ago and it was like a reunion of two old friends.  Compared to other books out at the time, I think this one was ahead of its time.

The Food Lab-This is a fascinating book.  It teaches you better home cooking through science.  It also has many photos and a very thorough look into cooking techniques. 

The New Making of a Cook-This is actually the only book you would ever need to learn how to cook and bake like a professional.  It's extremely detailed on the how and the why of everything you do in the kitchen.

King Arthur Baking School-This is my newest book and I am loving the lessons on all things baking.  It's filled with part science, part using the best ingredients and techniques to make your baking stand out.

Joy of Cooking-This was one of the first cookbooks that I bought for myself back in the 80's and I still love it. It literally covers everything from the foods we eat to pantry suggestions, entertaining to creating a menu and 100's of delicious recipes in every category. 

I have a HUGE cookbook collection and when I first thought what would my favorite 5 be I thought there was absolutely no way I could come down to just 5.  While I love all of my specialty cookbooks on every ingredient and cuisine imaginable, I realized that what I really love the most is books that teach me how to cook and bake so that I do not have to follow recipes but use them as inspiration.  

Do you have any favorite cookbooks? 

My Weekly W's

The second week of 2023 has passed and I honestly don't know where it went.  It seems like the week went by in a flash.

What's top of my mind: All three of my favorite seed company's catalogs have arrived.  I plan on spending some time this afternoon going through them and getting my orders ready.  We are changing things up a bit this year in the garden. We are expanding a bit and I want to focus on growing what I can't get from friends or the famers market.  

Where I've been: Other than picking up a few basics at the grocery store and having lunch yesterday at Freddy's with the big guy, I haven't been anywhere this week.

Where I'm going:  The big guy is off this week so we may pick up dinner from Yellin Helen's one night and then next weekend we'll be going out of town to run a few errands.

What I'm watching: We watched Father Stu and both really enjoyed it.  I didn't realize until the end that it was based on a true store.  I also found the series Down to Earth on Netflix.  There are two seasons and I started from the beginning.  To say it is a fascinating documentary is putting it mildly.  I watched Iceland and France and stopped because my head was just overwhelmed.  The things that other countries are doing to make their countries better is amazing.  The US is far, far behind.

What I'm reading: I flipped through a few older cookbooks and I'm going through seed catalogs.  That is about it for this week.

What I'm listening to: I'm keeping it quiet every chance I get.

What I'm eating: 

Lamb burgers and oven fries

Chicken fajita rice bowls and cheese roll up

Ham, Havarti, red onion hand pie with oven fried potatoes

Chili from the freezer and cornbread

Beef sausage, peppers, onions and mac and cheese with broccoli

I also made an apple crisp, and it was delicious with vanilla ice cream.

Apple Crisp

Spiced Apples:

6 apples-I used gala

3 Tbsp. sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 Tbsp. flour

1/4 tsp. ginger

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

Oat topping:

1/4 Cup flour

1/3 Cup rolled oats

1/2Cup brown sugar

1/4 cup butter, cut in cubes

pinch salt

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Core and slice the apples (peel if desired) Mix in a large bowl with the spiced apple ingredients.  Set aside.

Combine all of the oat topping ingredients in a separate bowl.

Butter an 8x8 square pan.  Pour in the apple mixture and top with the oat topping.

Bake for 45 minutes.

Who needs a good slap: No one particular is coming to mind.

What I'm planning: This week I'm going to start my Spring cleaning. I have a list of projects to start on.  I know it's early but I like to get it all done before March when I start spending as much time outside as I can.  

What's making me smile:  Binx.  I can't believe he is 10 months old already.  This is our first selfie and Binx didn't look happy about it. 

Wishing everyone a wonderful Sunday and week ahead!!

My Weekly W's

What's top of my mind: The first week after the holidays has come to an end.  Returning to work wasn't too bad.  I went back on Monday and since the rest of Administration took that day as a holiday it was quiet and peaceful.  It's amazing how much you can get done when you aren't interrupted by meetings and phone calls. 

Where I've been:  Yesterday I picked up a few groceries and household items that we needed. I stopped by my favorite home store Newell's but I got there at 9 and they don't open until 9:30 now so I decided not to wait. Later I picked up pizzas from Joes's to take the school for the big guy's seminar and then spent the rest of the day at home.

Where I'm going: Other than work, I don't have any plans on going anywhere.  January is my month to relax.

What I'm watching: I caught up on the latest season of Family Kharma. Other than that, I didn't watch any TV or movies.

What I'm reading: I found this interesting.

What I'm listening to: Binx running through the house like the wild animal he is.  How can such a little kitty make so much noise?

What I'm eating:

Veg pasta and no knead bread

Spicey chicken and bean soup one night with bread and one night with cheese roll ups.

Bulgogi beef with broccoli, rice and naan

Grits and eggs (I wasn't hungry so this is what the big guy had)

Lamb chops, baked potato, salad and garlic knots

Who needs a good slap:  Harry and Meghan.  I'd really like to throat punch both of them.  Their behavior and the things they've said and done are unforgivable.  I feel for the rest of the family.

What I'm planning: I'm planning a day trip to Indiana for us. There is an Amish restaurant there that we love and the big guy is wanting to go back.  The weather is so unpredictable around here I'm keeping the date flexible.  

What's making me smile: We had a lot of sunny days this week and the full wolf moon Friday was gorgeous.  The moon and the sun always make me smile.

Have a great week!!