Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Bacon, Potato, and Corn Chowder



It's been rainy and miserable outside tonight, so it was a perfect night to make something warm and cozy for supper. I tried a new recipe, and it was delicious! The original recipe called for some chopped ham which I did have in my fridge when I last looked, but tonight it was gone, so I found some bacon in the freezer to use instead. I made some warm biscuits on the side, and that was supper. I keep thinking that I should try a new recipe out at least once a week, so maybe if I blog about it, it will happen.

Bacon, Potato, and Corn Chowder

5 - 6 medium potatoes, chopped & cooked
1/4 c. butter
1 small onion, diced
4-6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 can cream of mushroom soup
2 cups milk
1 can cream style corn
salt & pepper taste

Saute onions in the butter. Add bacon, soup, milk, potatoes, salt & pepper. Simmer on medium to low heat for 20 minutes. If thick, add a little more milk. Add cream corn and simmer on low for 20 minutes more, stirring frequently.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Quiet Sunday


We visited a new church today. It was quite different than what we were used to, but I kind of liked it. They had a jazz music service, and the songs were meant to be related to the start of the Lenten season. Kind of unique, but it worked. The sermon was obviously biblical based, the minister was a good speaker, and I liked that the Lord's Prayer was the traditional version I grew up with. I also thought the pews were quite comfortable ...

After breakfast out and a little drive around town, we headed home. The weather is starting to feel suspicious, and I heard that a foot of snow might be on it's way in a day or so. As for the rest of the day, I have a pork roast cooking away in the crockpot for supper and I think it's probably a good time to wash the sheets on the bed.

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Date Night


We went to the American Legion last night for a fish fry and karaoke. Bruce got up and sang New York, New York.

I guess I don't totally understand how an American Legion works, but the public is allowed in ... think I'll do my usual Google search to figure it out. It seems that each one has it's own personality, too. This one was very friendly and comfortable. I kept looking at the other people there and trying to guess their ages and I couldn't figure out if most of them were younger or older than we were. Not that any of this really matters.

I think maybe we will go back sometime.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Afternoon at the Mall




I'm not really a mall person, but sometimes going to the mall is good for you. Malls are full of color and energy and people watching. Debbie and I met for lunch and a bit of walking around. We really didn't shop much. I saw an inexpensive ring that I thought about buying, but after carrying it around with me for awhile, I put it down and walked away. That's my strategy for not buying things.

I did have a walleye taco and some raspberry lemonade, though, and I have to say that being able to hang out with a friend is way better than buying things.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Update on Minnie


Minnie is doing better, digestive wise. I'm hoping that the combination of canned meat and pumpkin mixed in will be all that she needs for the most part. I think I'll probably give her a little saucer of milk once in a while, but it would be nice to not have to give her Miralax on a regular basis.

Cat constipation is kind of a big deal. And I think I'm possibly getting a little obsessive about it. I'd better stop that.

Anyway, today I decided to freeze individual portions of pumpkin in an ice tray. That huge can of pumpkin I had opened was taking forever to go through, and you know me and how I don't like to waste food.

The next thing I'm going to have to take care of, is weaning her off the cat box I TEMPORARILY placed in the kitchen bathroom as it now seems to be her favorite box to use. Oh, my.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Simple Food




Sometimes simple food is the best. Yesterday I made an Aldis run to stock up on ground turkey, and since I was already in the frozen food department, I decided to take a closer look at the types of pizza they had. To my surprise and delight, I saw they had their own brand of a supreme party pizza, and for only 99 cents a pizza!

I bought a few, because how can you go wrong with a pizza that costs less than a buck? And, look at the picture! Isn't that a pretty pizza?

I also made some Cranberry Apple Zinger refrigerator tea. I made it like a Sun Tea, but let it steep in the fridge all day. Besides trying to get the family to drink less juice, I have tons of tea bags I want to use up. I thought the tea was quite refreshing, we shall see if the family agrees.

Sugar cookies for dessert.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Nice People Dancing



We had fun watching Nice People Dancing to Good Country Music at the High School this afternoon. It was especially fun because we watched Jake play fiddle and dance. I was one proud Momma!

I asked Jake if he ever got nervous getting up on stage to perform, and he said no. And that is so amazing to me as I know I would die of stage fright if I were in his place. Good job, Jake!

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Trouble


I'm going to just say this out loud. Our cat has been having some major digestive issues this week, and it has not been pretty.

We've had other cats in the household, and none have ever been constipated. So, I did my usual google search to learn about it, and found out that many cats actually have trouble with this issue. I also read about cats developing a megacolon, and that freaked me out a bit. Poor Minnie, I didn't want her to have that.

So, I made some switches in her diet. I changed her to canned meat and added some canned pumpkin. I then added warm water to that. I smeared some big globs of petroleum jelly on the top of her paw, which she then licked off. I even put a little bit of Miralax on top of her meat. When she stuck her nose up at her new entree, I tossed a few kibbles of her dry food on top, like a parfait.

It's starting to work. She finally pooed in her cat box this afternoon.

I know we're not out of the woods yet, but I'll be watching over things much more closely from now on.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Wedding Anniversary





It's been twenty-five years!

It was a mild winter then, just like the one we're having this year. We were married next door to the Governor's Mansion, in St. Paul. Our minister forgot about the exchanging of the rings and we had to remind him while we were saying The Lord's Prayer. Later he told us that he'd rather do a few funerals rather than a wedding because of all the pressure! Funny guy.

We had Chicken Veronica with green grapes and wild rice pilaf. Our wedding cake was poppy seed with raspberry filling. We also had champagne, and it tasted just fine that evening.

It was a wonderful night.

And it's hard to believe all those years have passed.

Here's to another twenty-five!

Monday, February 13, 2012

Chocolate Covered Strawberries


Well, it's a big day tomorrow ... Valentine's Day and our Wedding Anniversary.

Yesterday we were walking around at the mall, and stopped at the fancy chocolate shop. I can't think of the name at the moment, guess I've never actually shopped there. But, they were selling boxes of fresh chocolate dipped strawberries. I asked the gal how much a box was, and guess what she said? Fifty dollars! For six chocolate dipped strawberries! Is that the going rate?

I love chocolate dipped strawberries. They might be one of my favorite treats of all time. So, I picked up some much prettier, much redder strawberries at the store, and I plan on making my own. Here's the recipe:

6 ounces of dark chocolate
3 tablespoons half and half cream
1/2 tablespoon of butter (unsalted)
20 large strawberries

Heat the chocolate and cream in a double boiler with gently simmering water. Stir frequently.
Once the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth, add butter and stir until butter is melted. Turn off heat.
Dip strawberries one at a time, as high as you like with chocolate, then lay on covered baking sheet.
Refrigerate for about 30 minutes until chocolate is set.

The picture above is how I want my strawberries to look like when I am finished.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Picnic Lunch



Since it was such a gorgeous day outside, with bright sunshine and clear roads for driving, I decided it was a good day to take a little road trip out to visit my folks. I picked up some fried chicken, which just happened to be on sale at Cub Foods, some salads (Mr. B.'s Potato and Country Broccoli) and fresh fruit. Mom had lemonade for us to drink and homemade Special K bars for dessert, so we were good to go. We spent the afternoon chatting and looking at pictures.

Peaches and Patches were being cute, as usual, as you can see from their pictures.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Simple Day

There's not a a lot to report on a day such as today, but I will say that it has been a pretty good day.

Made my drive into the city to take care of all my little old people at work. I like my job. It feels good to care for other people, and reminds me of why I went into nursing in the first place. And I hope that I can keep doing this for a long, long time.

The day is clear and cold, with lots of sun. It was a brisk walk to work, but with that bright sun, who can complain?

I thoroughly enjoyed my bowl of turkey chili and banana for lunch.

And tonight, we get to venture back into the city to hear Bruce's guitar instructor perform at some pizza joint. I said, when was the last time we went out on a date in the city?

Life is good!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Good Stuff


My latest discovery is Greek yogurt. It's perfect! Lots of protein and just sweet enough for me. I can't really say why it took me so long to try it, but it did help that Cub Foods was having a sale on it this week.

Now I'm wondering if I could make my own at home ...

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Dreaming of Spring

As I was doing my grocery shopping today at Cub, I couldn't help but notice the flowers on sale. They were so colorful and energizing that I had to take a picture. We've had a mild winter, but I still can't wait until Spring. Hurry, hurry!

Oh, and I thought I'd fill you all in on a couple of updates ... the official winner of last week's chili cook off was indeed Beverly's Kick A** Chili. I just knew that would be the case. So, I decided to make some chili tonight. I followed the recipe, but chickened out when it came to adding the jalapeño peppers and added diced green chills instead. Oh, and I used ground turkey because I'm trying to eat a little healthier these days.

The next update is that the missing green glass cup still has not been found. Nor has anybody stepped forward to release information regarding it's whereabouts or confess any unfortunate accident that might have happened to it ...so, I decided to look on ebay and actually found some! Two dinner plates, two cups, and three saucers for the cups. I decided I wanted them, ordered them, and they arrived yesterday. I feel better about the situation now. The only potential problem to this might be that it was really fun to receive a package in the mail and I'm already thinking about what else I can order. Oh, dear.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Bed and Breakfast


We were able to sneak away Saturday night to a Bed and Breakfast, as a celebration of our upcoming silver wedding anniversary. Since we're not ones to plan lavish celebrations, this was perfect for us.

We headed to Duluth, of course, and that way we were also able to visit Katie. We took her and her friend to a Tai buffet lunch before heading over to tour the Glensheen Mansion and then settle in at the AG Thomson House. This was our second stay at the AG Thompson House and it was once again, wonderful.

We had dinner at an Italian restaurant, followed by homemade chocolate chip cookies at the house, and then watched some late night movies. We even had a taste of a bottle of champagne from our wedding, twenty five years ago. A taste was all we could manage, though. Twenty five years is a bit long for champagne to age and it's taste reminded me of some not so good cooking wine. But, it was a fun thing to try.

Another part of the charm of staying at a bed and breakfast, is being able to meet and chat with other folks staying there. One couple at our table was celebrating their 43rd wedding anniversary, which was very cool.

I'll try to post a more complete set of photos later, right now I'm having a heck of a time getting them to upload!

Friday, February 3, 2012

Chili Cook Off

We had a chili cook off at work today. I guess you could call it our second annual, although I'm pretty sure that we missed doing one last year.

I didn't bring a batch, but I sampled them all. Two traditional ones with tomatoes and two white chicken ones. Well, actually one white chili was called Pink Chili. It was made by our director, John, and he named it that because his ADD interfered with following the directions and he added some diced tomatoes, his words.

The names of the Chili were as follows ... Grandma's Chili, Firehouse Chili (also known as Beverly's Kick A** Chili), Pink Chili, and Mona's White Chicken Chili. They were all good, but the winner, according to me, was ... Beverly's Kick A** Chili.

Did you know you can buy diced jalapeños in a can?

I asked Beverly for the recipe, and here it is. Enjoy!

Beverly's Kick A** Chili
1 lb. Ground Beef, browned
1/2 lb. Pork Sausage, browned
1 pkg. Chili Seasoning Mix
15 oz. kidney beans
15 oz. whole kernel corn
15 oz. petite diced tomatoes
15 oz. pinto beans
1 onion, chopped
16 oz. tomato sauce
4 oz. diced jalapeños

Mix all together in a slow cooker, cover, and cook all day on low.

I am always looking for that perfect chili recipe, and this one is pretty good. Beware, though, it does have some heat!

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Groundhog Day


Phil says it will be another six weeks of winter. He saw his shadow again. Who knows how accurate this guy is, but I don't think it will bother me as much this year as our winter has not been bad, at all. In fact, I think this winter has been rather healing ...

What I'm really wondering about, is who decided a groundhog would be the one to determine our fate?