The Best Surprises

Yesterday, UPS came by and delivered a few packages. Weirdly, not at the same time, which made for very happy dogs, and not-so-happy UPS guys. But that’s neither here nor there, because I GOT A PACKAGE FROM MY FRIEND NICOLE!!!

Click to embiggenify the culinary goodness! My tummy was quite happy last night, and this morning. The biscotti are sooooo good with morning coffee. The kids descended on this bounty like a pack of starving wolves. I was glad to share, but I had to put my foot down hard with the fudge and truffles. Those are for Momma only!!

Om Nom Nom….

I am trying to get into the habit of cooking on Sunday evenings. I know that sounds weird, but with finicky kids, I got into the habit of cold dinners or just hot dogs on Sundays. I’ve gotten in the habit of stews and casseroles, and so far they have been met with success, at least by Eldest and any guests I may have over.

I did say my kids are finicky.

Anyway, I happened to be over at Laura’s Sunday morning, and found a new post, which is unreal because she seldom posts on the weekends. She claims to have a life, but I think she is just stalking goats, or George Clooney. Anyway, she posted a recipe that I just had to try. Why? Because tater tots, cheese, sour cream and chicken, that’s why!

Here is Laura’s recipe, slightly modified from the one she posted:

Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

2 lb. bag of tater tots, thawed
1/2 cup chopped finely onion
16 oz. sour cream
1 can of Cream of Chicken Soup
16 oz. sharp cheddar cheese
2 cups French fried onions
1/2 cup melted butter (NOT margarine)
1/4 tsp. salt and pepper
10-12 chicken tenders (or 4-5 boneless-skinless chicken breasts), cubed

Place tater tots in large bowl, and break them up well. Add the rest of the ingredients, except the French fried onions. Scoop half of the mixture into a 9×13 (23x33cm for my foreign readers) baking dish or pan, distributing it evenly. Place the cubed chicken on top, followed by the rest of the mixture. Top with the French fried onions, and bake at 350* F (about 180* C for my foreign readers) for about an hour (about 60 minutes for my foreign readers…).

The casserole was a hit. My hips cringed a bit, but whatever. If I end up needing angioplasty, it will be worth it! 😉

The Countdown Begins

It’s less than a week until Thanksgiving! I am very lucky to have one sister live up the street. We get to co-ordinate large gatherings with family more easily, and thus avoid the headaches associated with one cooking for many.

This year, she will be making the ham, and the neighbor the turkey, leaving me with the sidedishes and one dessert. Now, I tend to be a bit more adventurous when it comes to food, and a bit less traditional, too. I was all jazzed about trying a new recipe I had found for a cranberry chutney, when my sister spoke up:

Sis: A what?

Me: A cranberry chutney. It has pineapples and pecans and a bit of cayenne–

Sis: No.

Me: What do you mean, “No”??

Sis: I mean no fancy stuff. Just get the jelly stuff in a can.

Me:………… what??

Sis: It has to be eaten, so get what regular people like.

Me:………..

Yes, she actually said regular people. But I figured she had a point, microscopic as it was, and let it be. After all, Thanksgiving is a time to be grateful, and I’m very grateful for all I have.

Besides, She didn’t say anything about dessert!! 😉

Today is the Day!

Yep…I’m 45!!

And I made you cupcakes!

I’ll return tomorrow with some less fluffy content, though by my standards around here, it ain’t by much. In the meantime, enjoy your day, and remember: birthday calories never count! 😉

UPDATE!!

Look what our friend SG brought me:

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Crunch Time

In more ways than one!

Today I am hosting a cooking party, and a jewelry party. I still need to finish shopping for Christmas, and this also provides me with adult conversation, and food. Food is big around here.

Yes, chocolate will be featured heavily. As will wine, but I won’t be making that. Just serving it.

And of course, there will be bling!

Pretty!!! Hopefully, we will get all the last minute shopping done, and have a great time doing it. If all else fails, at least we can spend the afternoon talking and drinking and eating. And that is a success in every way 🙂

Cheap Therapy

A friend of mine was telling me a few weeks ago about her time in therapy. Now, my idea of “therapy” is not the same as hers. She had explained that she had attended therapy with a psychiatrist three times a week for a few years. At first I felt awful, not knowing what to say to her, thinking the trauma in her life must have been catastrophic. When I asked her what had happened, as gently as I could, she told me she went to a therapist in order to learn to relax.

Now, I will say that therapists do tend to help people with problems, but going to one for three times a week for years to learn to relax??

When doing this is cheaper and more satisfying??

Or this??

Or even this??

Consider this your free relaxation therapy.

Following sessions will cost extra, if needed 🙂

Change is Good

Ever get stuck in a rut, and feel like your life is nothing but drudgery amid chaos, waiting for the maelstrom to drown you?

Yeah, me neither. But I do like to change things every-so-often. For years I have used plain white baking dishes because “white goes with everything”. BORING!!! But every time I saw a pretty set of oven dishes all I could think about was, “Will they go with everything?” And it came to my mind that it doesn’t matter if they do, as long as it cheers me up, and puts a smile on my face when I use them. I am now lightening the load of crap I have in the kitchen, so I can justify a pretty set of baking dishes.

Pretty, no? I still can’t decide between the square shape, or the oval shape. And that’s another thing… I tend to buy square and rectangle dishes all the time. I never get anything round or oval shaped. Asking Hubby what he thinks is out of the question because he will A– tell me he could care less, and B– tell me not to buy them.

Well, I may not get them after all, but it is nice to contemplate a small change once in a while.

And in case you didn’t notice, I did change my avatar 😉

‘Fessing Up

They say confession is good for the soul, and this letter is about confessing something to someone. This will not be pretty.

But after 25 years, I feel it has to be done.

Dear In-Laws,

I love you to death. I do. You guys have treated me like your own daughter for over two decades. We’ve had our ups and downs, and even though life is like a roller coaster in our family, I have to confess something to y’all, and you won’t like it.

I despise Cajun food.

Dirt flavored ICK.

Ok, “despise” is a harsh term. “Loathe”  comes closer to the disgust I feel when I try to ingest Cajun food. It tastes like dirt to me. Dad always thinks he is fixing a special treat for me when he makes his famous Shrimp Gumbo. And he is, judging by the excited faces of the rest of the family as they wait, salivating for a bowl of your majikal stew. But every…single…time I have tried it, it feels like I am swallowing dirt-covered food. And I should know what dirt tastes like! In 25 years I have not been able to adapt to Cajun food, and I think it is safe to say, I never will. I’m sorry, but next time you are serving Cajun I am running to Sonic.

And don’t get me started on the Ox-Tail Soup.

Love y’all,

Me.

Indulgences

Ah, yes…. There are times when you are clipping coupons, and cutting unnecessary expenses, and even relying on generic brands to make ends meet. But there is always one thing….one tiny indulgence that you must keep, isn’t there??

I’m not sure if this is my antidote, or my Kryptonite. Either way, it’s a small way to feel special. Better than going totally overboard with $400 shoes or $600 dresses, right??

Letter to Somone I Wish I Could Meet

Hm…. this letter will prove to be very difficult. Most of the people I wish to meet are no longer here on this Earth, and with the few that are it’s more of a “wonder what they are like in person” than a true wish to meet them. One hears of a famous person being a nice guy and all, but when you get to meet him, it turns out he has a preference for eating with his toes, or something just as odd. And how do you deal with that?? But if I must write a letter, I guess I will pick someone.

Dear Mr. Twinkie Maker,

I’ve often wondered about your job. You are part of the American Quilt. You bring joy to millions and millions of kids and adults alike. Who doesn’t see a Twinkie and think it’s a sunny smile of sugary goodness?? And the cream filling!! Just HOW do you do it?? Oh, I remember watching Unwrapped and seeing it, but I’m sure there is more magic involved. I wonder how you feel, knowing you put a smile on my face when I see that box of Twinkies in the snack aisle. And truly, how do you keep from gorging while at work? I assume you don’t, since you still work there.

A smile of golden sunshine

I wish I could meet you, so you could solve these and other questions, but alas, I shall be content to just admire you from afar, and give thanks to you whenever I eat that delicious confection, especially after putting the bathroom scale away.

Sincerely,

A happy fan