Hello everyone!
As I ask in my title, where did November go? Time just flew out the window!
Let me see if I can sum up an entire month, and see if I can even remember everything that has happened.
As mentioned before, Mike had his surgery. The damage was worse than originally thought, so there was a little more work involved than originally intended, but the doctor did a great job, and Mike has been going to physical therapy twice a week, and doing the exercises at home everyday. Each day is different. Some days are better than others, and then there are the horrible days, where he can barely do anything.
Mike returns to work this Monday, and I worry about how well he will manage due to all of the hyper extending and reaching and lifting that is required of him. I am really hoping that he doesn't try to be a martyr and tough it out, which could lead to him hurting himself, and having to start all over again.
Mike's work at Memorial Pharmacy, has been interesting, as we get little updates here and there from the staff that are considered friends. So far, since Mike has been out of there due to the surgery/recovery, three pharmacists have quit. The management has been telling other people who are thinking of looking or is looking for work elsewhere to leave. The more horror stories I hear about management, or how they allow people who are not qualified or detail oriented to work in places that you have to be top notch, makes me really glad that I am no longer there. I have a bad taste from that place in my mouth as it is, and this is just making things worse. I won't get into details, but let me just say, that if you do have to go there, double check everything that comes into your room. Also, look to see who made what, even though you may not know the names of people, it could save your life. For instance, if one of the technicians that is rather good at what she does, didn't catch this, I would have feared for the poor guy to get the medication. The story goes that there is a technician who is fresh out of school, and normally, they would have you train everywhere else in the pharmacy for six months before getting into the IV room, but this fellow was allowed in there as soon as he was hired. He claims that when he is tired, he can't do math, which is the whole job description when in the IV room and he decided to take an antibiotic that was needing to be reconstituted out of the sterile clean room, into the dirtiest place in the pharmacy, known as the break room, and place this vile into the microwave so he could dilute it faster. Someone caught him and demanded to know what the heck he was doing. Needless to say, instead of writing this guy up or firing him, they place him on the graveyard shift, where he can do the most damage. I tell Mike each time I hear stories of what is going on there, that I can't believe they got rid of me...then again, I didn't kill people, and that may be why I was kicked out. Guess it's better to kill patients off, then save them...again, I am glad that I am no longer there.
Mike's family came out for Thanksgiving. It was good to see them, and we enjoyed their company. I tried a few new recipes, though I have no photos to show, and I will have to post the recipes another time, as I am writing this at nearly 1am. We missed having the Tobins out for the holiday, but because of the newest member of the Tobin family, it was understandable. The weather for Thanksgiving week was amazing! We only had one really cold day, and the rest was in the 60s.
Mike had a horrible migraine this morning, but has calmed it down since then. He even went to bed early to try and clear the whole thing. I'm hoping that he succeeds. I don't like to see him hurting and wanting to do things that are fun, but unable to because of his health.
I had two photo shoots within a week of each other. The first one was the day after Thanksgiving with a nurse that Mike knows, and has introduced me to when we first started dating years ago. She and her husband had me do their Christmas pictures last year, and wanted me to do them again this year, which I enthusiastically accepted. This last Friday, I took pictures of her sister in law's family. I still need to download them and work on them, so I am hoping to have all of that done soon.
Our Charlie Brown tree is up and decorated. Mike always mentions getting a real tree someday, but I am not completely sold on the idea. One, I'm allergic to them, and secondly, I've always had the fake trees, which saves money in the long run. Yes, I know that the fake ones don't look as nice, but some of them do. I guess it really doesn't matter to me either way, but I'm just not sold on them.
I am excited about Christmas though. I'm a giver and I like to get people things and see their reaction. A lot of the time, I can get things for people that they've mentioned once at the beginning of the year, and surprise them. I've succeeded in this numerous times. I am not sure what the plans are for Christmas this year. I don't know Mike's schedule, and no one in the family has mentioned anything to me. Most likely I will get a last minute invite...if you'd call "Christmas my house at ___pm" an invite. Either way, I won't know anything until after Monday.
Monday, my mom is coming to bake cookies with me. I look forward to this every year. It's silly, I know, but it's the one tradition that has always stayed the same, no matter the changes in our lives. I have fond memories of baking cookies and decorating them with my mom and brother. I invited my brother three days ago when my mom said she was game for cookie making, and didn't hear from him until today when I practically demanded an answer, and even then, I didn't really get one. I complained to my mom of course, who had gotten the answer from him...why he sent her the answer, when I'm hosting, is beyond me and it frustrated me to no end...I vented a little to Mike, which I feel badly about. I know how much my family can bother Mike when they get under my skin. I don't mean to go off on them to him, but I don't have anyone to talk to about them.
The thing I have to remember about my family is this: there will always be the double standards when it comes to my brother and me. There is no getting away from this. For as long as both of us are alive, and I continue to put myself in my family's presence, this will always be an issue. I will never understand it either. We were both raised by the same person, taught the same things, yet we are two completely different people. I am reminded to always thank someone, whether through email or card and is expected to do it, while he walks. I am supposed to let people know if I am coming to any get togethers and when, when he is allowed to blow people off and just show up. The list goes on, but I fear that I am borderline complaining, and it's inappropriate to continue.
I've started writing again. I've got a few great stories going already, and I'm trying to get them complete, but my problem is that I want feedback on them before I continue further. I want to make sure that things make sense, that the story flows, and sounds interesting, so on and so on. I've given a copy to a couple of people, but haven't heard a word from them. It can be frustrating to be told that they will read it, and then not have it happen...so, if you'd like to help me out, please let me know and I'd be happy to forward something to you. I am looking for blunt honesty and critique. I want to maybe polish it up nicely for publishing.
Family drama continues, but what else is new? My mom moved into her new quaint little house. I have my opinions on it, as well as other matters that is not my business or my life, so I cannot mention them here. I also have many opinions and choice words for my sibling's life, but again...I bite my tongue and stay out of it. Though I've already made it know that if something major happens to a little person of blood relation, whether life changing of the bad sense or not, I will not idly sit back and say nothing. It will be a side of me that no one has seen before. But until then, I will not speak up until the time is needed.
I have new photos on my site, and more to come, so be sure to hope over and look at them too!
Well...I don't really have much else to say, so I guess I should call it a night. And thinking back on everything I have written...I probably shouldn't even post this, but I don't feel like editing right now, and I needed to post something new. So, with that said...I leave it at that.
Until next time!
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Crazy Month of October...
Hello everyone!
So let's get down to the most important part of this blog.
Mike had his surgery on the 13th. The doctor was running about an hour to an hour and a half behind, but as Mike mentioned, he didn't mind because he would rather the doctor take his time, making sure all of his patients were well cared for and where they needed to be, before moving on with his next appointment. The doctor that we had operating on Mike was the best in town. After speaking with several nurses and PAs, Mike discovered that he had made the right decision about choosing this particular doctor. During the initial consultation with him, Mike had asked the doctor, about how long would it be after the procedure that he could be out skiing again. Without hesitating, the doctor replied with January. So Mike is holding him to that, and has already mentioned it on a few occasions to the doctor, in which the doctor just replies with a simple okay.
The day of the procedure was slow to begin, with the doctor being behind schedule, but Mike kept cracking jokes with the nurses, the doctors and even a pharmacist that he works with who had stopped by to check up on him before and after the procedure. When I was allowed back to the recovery room when it was over, Mike was very alert, sucking down water, Sprite and eating some crackers, all the while, still making jokes with the staff. The doctor had stopped by to tells us that things were a little more severe than he initially thought, but that it wouldn't slow down the recovery any. The tear was a little worse than he originally thought. The tear that Mike had was around the labrum muscle and cartilage. (I am most likely getting the muscles involved wrong, but this is what I remember, so forgive me if I clarify in another post later). Instead of having two screws or brackets placed inside his shoulder, there were three. One in front of the shoulder, one on top and the third in the back. They also shaved down some of the bone and scraped some off the back of the shoulder bone. When the nerve block finally wore off about two-three days later, he could feel where he was operated on, and is still in a lot of pain, but who can blame him? When I was being asked almost daily how Mike was doing, and with my responses being that he's in a lot of pain, and with each day that passes, it seems to be getting worse, I was asked why he was in such pain from this procedure...once I explained what all was involved, I got a message of wow. I related this story to Mike who then asked me what they thought was involved in surgery? But all I could do was shrug. It's hard to say what people think when they think surgery. Maybe somewhere along the line, there was a message of miscommunication or perhaps something got lost along the way. Either way, there it is.
Each day is different, however. Mike has had some good days, but then he has some rather bad ones, like yesterday and especially today. We were able to remove the bulk of the dressings off of his shoulder, after we went to his follow up appointment yesterday afternoon. When we got to the appointment, and as we were checking in, there was a typical "Scrubs" moment. There was another man who followed us into the office and stood behind us to check in. When the other receptionist brought him to the counter to help him, is where this whole funny story starts...
Receptionist: "I can help you here, sir!"
Man: "I was told to come here from the ER to see a Dr. Pack." (The doctors name is Pak. Sounds like Pawk)
Receptionist: "Okay, let me look in the system here..."
Man: "They said it was humerus but it's not humorous at all!"
Receptionist: "Did you make an appointment?"
Man: "No, they told me to come across the street and set one up...that's why I'm here."
Receptionist: "So you didn't call to set up your appointment?"
Man: "No. I'm a transfer from the ER."
Receptionist: "I'm sorry sir, but you will have to call us to set up the appointment."
Man: "I have to call you to make an appointment? So, I should just step out in the hall and use my cellphone?"
Receptionist: "There's a phone on the wall right over there that you can use. (Hands him a card) Call this number, and they can set up your appointment. We can't do it here because we don't have the program or the schedules."
At this point, Mike and I got sit in the waiting room, still chuckling about how stupid our health care system has become. The man and front desk are still in our line of sight, as the drama continues.
The man approached the desk and asked where the phone was for him to use. They point to the wall directly behind him, and he begins to pick it up as another woman rounds the corner with a piece of paper.
Woman: "Sir? You were trying to set up an appointment?"
Man: "Yes. That girl said I had to call her to set up my appointment, so I'm using your phone."
Woman: (hands him the card) Call this number. Ask for me, and I'll get you processed. Okay?"
The man takes the card and begins to dial.
Now, at this point, Mike and I are crying, we are laughing so hard, which I am sure that the other people on our side of the waiting room must have thought we were crazy or something. It also didn't help that there was some kids cartoon show that is directed towards toddlers that was playing and saying some ridiculous things, but mostly, it was this poor man trying to make an appointment. The thing that was so hilarious to us was how the people who do the scheduling, had come around the corner, and told them to call and ask for them, instead of bringing him around to their desk to set up his appointment. The whole ordeal was quite "humorous" as well as just ridiculously stupid that our health care has sunk this low...
So Mike had to order me to stop making him laugh, due to his pain, but he still thought the whole thing was funny...even today, as I write this, I still can't help but chuckle.
The doctor had come in to our room and showed Mike the pictures of his procedure, explaining where the screws/brackets were and where the tear was, as well as how far back it went. It was a rather quick visit, and we were out as soon as we got the new script for his pain meds. So across the street we went to Memorial Central, to get them filled. Mike waited in the car, as I went to the pharmacy, not the one that I worked at, but the outpatient side of things. It took them a while, longer than it should have for they were not busy, and I would know as I did do my rotation there when I was a student, and finally paid and began to leave. On my way back through the tunnels to get to my car, I ran into a former student of the Pharmacy Tech program that I helped teach. She is one of the new hires at Memorial, and I talked to her briefly...now here is my favorite part of yesterday. My old manager, who is no longer a manager due to restructure of the management in the pharmacy, happened to walk by as we were talking. She glared at me, and I very happily said," Hi Kathie!" She didn't stop walking past me, she didn't even say hello, but just grunted bitterly as she rounded the corner. I told Mike about this passing, and told him that I couldn't help but find the humor and quite frankly some closure by being so happy to run into that old miserable hag.
For those of you who don't fully know the story, Kathie was the reason that I wasn't able to stay at Memorial. She is the thorn in every one's side in the pharmacy, and she is a very bitter and difficult person. If she isn't writing you up for sneezing, then she isn't happy. She had told management when they were doing the rehiring of her position, that if she didn't get the job, then she would be quitting because she wouldn't step down to a lowly tech position...which she is a tech. So when the position went to someone else, someone with out the attitude and baggage, and quite frankly, someone who is much better qualified, Kathie ended up telling management that she would like to stay with Memorial and work as a tech. I had told Mike before this happened, that she was completely bluffing when she said that she wouldn't work as a tech, and as soon as management called her on it, she back-peddled and immediately accepted the tech position. From what I was told by the former student of mine, Kathie doesn't say a word to anyone, not even a hello, in which she has written people up for in the past, and she stays in corners of the Pharmacy trying not to be seen. But for the moment, I'm content enough to know that Karma has a way of getting back at people, and I found the whole confrontation to be very comforting. I found some closure...even in the smallest way.
So, today, Mike is not doing well, and I foresee the rest of the day being the same, and therefore, I am hoping to keep myself busy, not only in taking care of him, but hopefully to keep my mind off of any potential mood swings that may be caused to my over sensitivity to his mood. He seems fine in spirit and mood thus far, but I know that sometimes, too much pain, can be cause to a bad mood flare up. I am hoping that this is not the case, but you never can tell as each person is different.
Well, I can't write much more, as Mike is up from his nap, and I need to bring him some breakfast and coffee, but I am hoping to write another update soon.
Also, if you haven't gone to my website recently, please do and please comment on your favorites because that helps me out immensely! http://www.mfahey.smugmug.com/
Until next time!
So let's get down to the most important part of this blog.
Mike had his surgery on the 13th. The doctor was running about an hour to an hour and a half behind, but as Mike mentioned, he didn't mind because he would rather the doctor take his time, making sure all of his patients were well cared for and where they needed to be, before moving on with his next appointment. The doctor that we had operating on Mike was the best in town. After speaking with several nurses and PAs, Mike discovered that he had made the right decision about choosing this particular doctor. During the initial consultation with him, Mike had asked the doctor, about how long would it be after the procedure that he could be out skiing again. Without hesitating, the doctor replied with January. So Mike is holding him to that, and has already mentioned it on a few occasions to the doctor, in which the doctor just replies with a simple okay.
The day of the procedure was slow to begin, with the doctor being behind schedule, but Mike kept cracking jokes with the nurses, the doctors and even a pharmacist that he works with who had stopped by to check up on him before and after the procedure. When I was allowed back to the recovery room when it was over, Mike was very alert, sucking down water, Sprite and eating some crackers, all the while, still making jokes with the staff. The doctor had stopped by to tells us that things were a little more severe than he initially thought, but that it wouldn't slow down the recovery any. The tear was a little worse than he originally thought. The tear that Mike had was around the labrum muscle and cartilage. (I am most likely getting the muscles involved wrong, but this is what I remember, so forgive me if I clarify in another post later). Instead of having two screws or brackets placed inside his shoulder, there were three. One in front of the shoulder, one on top and the third in the back. They also shaved down some of the bone and scraped some off the back of the shoulder bone. When the nerve block finally wore off about two-three days later, he could feel where he was operated on, and is still in a lot of pain, but who can blame him? When I was being asked almost daily how Mike was doing, and with my responses being that he's in a lot of pain, and with each day that passes, it seems to be getting worse, I was asked why he was in such pain from this procedure...once I explained what all was involved, I got a message of wow. I related this story to Mike who then asked me what they thought was involved in surgery? But all I could do was shrug. It's hard to say what people think when they think surgery. Maybe somewhere along the line, there was a message of miscommunication or perhaps something got lost along the way. Either way, there it is.
Each day is different, however. Mike has had some good days, but then he has some rather bad ones, like yesterday and especially today. We were able to remove the bulk of the dressings off of his shoulder, after we went to his follow up appointment yesterday afternoon. When we got to the appointment, and as we were checking in, there was a typical "Scrubs" moment. There was another man who followed us into the office and stood behind us to check in. When the other receptionist brought him to the counter to help him, is where this whole funny story starts...
Receptionist: "I can help you here, sir!"
Man: "I was told to come here from the ER to see a Dr. Pack." (The doctors name is Pak. Sounds like Pawk)
Receptionist: "Okay, let me look in the system here..."
Man: "They said it was humerus but it's not humorous at all!"
Receptionist: "Did you make an appointment?"
Man: "No, they told me to come across the street and set one up...that's why I'm here."
Receptionist: "So you didn't call to set up your appointment?"
Man: "No. I'm a transfer from the ER."
Receptionist: "I'm sorry sir, but you will have to call us to set up the appointment."
Man: "I have to call you to make an appointment? So, I should just step out in the hall and use my cellphone?"
Receptionist: "There's a phone on the wall right over there that you can use. (Hands him a card) Call this number, and they can set up your appointment. We can't do it here because we don't have the program or the schedules."
At this point, Mike and I got sit in the waiting room, still chuckling about how stupid our health care system has become. The man and front desk are still in our line of sight, as the drama continues.
The man approached the desk and asked where the phone was for him to use. They point to the wall directly behind him, and he begins to pick it up as another woman rounds the corner with a piece of paper.
Woman: "Sir? You were trying to set up an appointment?"
Man: "Yes. That girl said I had to call her to set up my appointment, so I'm using your phone."
Woman: (hands him the card) Call this number. Ask for me, and I'll get you processed. Okay?"
The man takes the card and begins to dial.
Now, at this point, Mike and I are crying, we are laughing so hard, which I am sure that the other people on our side of the waiting room must have thought we were crazy or something. It also didn't help that there was some kids cartoon show that is directed towards toddlers that was playing and saying some ridiculous things, but mostly, it was this poor man trying to make an appointment. The thing that was so hilarious to us was how the people who do the scheduling, had come around the corner, and told them to call and ask for them, instead of bringing him around to their desk to set up his appointment. The whole ordeal was quite "humorous" as well as just ridiculously stupid that our health care has sunk this low...
So Mike had to order me to stop making him laugh, due to his pain, but he still thought the whole thing was funny...even today, as I write this, I still can't help but chuckle.
The doctor had come in to our room and showed Mike the pictures of his procedure, explaining where the screws/brackets were and where the tear was, as well as how far back it went. It was a rather quick visit, and we were out as soon as we got the new script for his pain meds. So across the street we went to Memorial Central, to get them filled. Mike waited in the car, as I went to the pharmacy, not the one that I worked at, but the outpatient side of things. It took them a while, longer than it should have for they were not busy, and I would know as I did do my rotation there when I was a student, and finally paid and began to leave. On my way back through the tunnels to get to my car, I ran into a former student of the Pharmacy Tech program that I helped teach. She is one of the new hires at Memorial, and I talked to her briefly...now here is my favorite part of yesterday. My old manager, who is no longer a manager due to restructure of the management in the pharmacy, happened to walk by as we were talking. She glared at me, and I very happily said," Hi Kathie!" She didn't stop walking past me, she didn't even say hello, but just grunted bitterly as she rounded the corner. I told Mike about this passing, and told him that I couldn't help but find the humor and quite frankly some closure by being so happy to run into that old miserable hag.
For those of you who don't fully know the story, Kathie was the reason that I wasn't able to stay at Memorial. She is the thorn in every one's side in the pharmacy, and she is a very bitter and difficult person. If she isn't writing you up for sneezing, then she isn't happy. She had told management when they were doing the rehiring of her position, that if she didn't get the job, then she would be quitting because she wouldn't step down to a lowly tech position...which she is a tech. So when the position went to someone else, someone with out the attitude and baggage, and quite frankly, someone who is much better qualified, Kathie ended up telling management that she would like to stay with Memorial and work as a tech. I had told Mike before this happened, that she was completely bluffing when she said that she wouldn't work as a tech, and as soon as management called her on it, she back-peddled and immediately accepted the tech position. From what I was told by the former student of mine, Kathie doesn't say a word to anyone, not even a hello, in which she has written people up for in the past, and she stays in corners of the Pharmacy trying not to be seen. But for the moment, I'm content enough to know that Karma has a way of getting back at people, and I found the whole confrontation to be very comforting. I found some closure...even in the smallest way.
So, today, Mike is not doing well, and I foresee the rest of the day being the same, and therefore, I am hoping to keep myself busy, not only in taking care of him, but hopefully to keep my mind off of any potential mood swings that may be caused to my over sensitivity to his mood. He seems fine in spirit and mood thus far, but I know that sometimes, too much pain, can be cause to a bad mood flare up. I am hoping that this is not the case, but you never can tell as each person is different.
Well, I can't write much more, as Mike is up from his nap, and I need to bring him some breakfast and coffee, but I am hoping to write another update soon.
Also, if you haven't gone to my website recently, please do and please comment on your favorites because that helps me out immensely! http://www.mfahey.smugmug.com/
Until next time!
Saturday, October 8, 2011
It Must Be October!
Hello everyone!
I woke up this morning to snow on the ground! What is so funny to me, is that I had just told Mike yesterday morning that I was wishing for snow....mainly because I didn't want to have to go out and mow the yard, but also....well, honestly, that's really all the reasons for wishing for snow! Because I am a summer baby, I love the warm...but I do like snow too, it's just not in my nature to wish for it or do a snow dance!
We do usually get snow about this time, but it's usually closer to Halloween. Every year for the past four years or so, we have never failed to have snow on Halloween. It's nice to see that we are branching out a little this year!
My mom has been out of town for the week and won't be coming back for another week to follow, so I've been watching my niece, Willow. It's super cute to walk in the door and see her face light up and she comes running over to me and begins to run in place. Okay, maybe not "running" but she is telling me that she wants to be chased. I started to play with her that way a month ago, and she loves it! So, I end up playing with her like that for about an hour, before I'm needing a break! She knows that my mom is gone and wasn't quite herself the first day that I watched her, but now she is starting to become more like her old self, and that is always nice to see!
Mike's surgery is upcoming this week. Thursday to be exact. We are both looking forward to it, as much as a person can look forward to surgery, but we know that he needs it and that life will be much more enjoyable once it is complete. He has talked with a nurse that he works with in the ICU who also had this surgery done this year, though hers was much worse, as you can imagine with lifting and moving patients that are around 300+ pounds; so he has more confidence instilled in him, and he knows that this is the right move to make in the long run. He has his good days where there is little pain, but then he remembers those days that were not so great, and decides that he really does need the procedure.
I am looking forward to having him in the house with me, everyday for the next month and a half, and if I need a break, I have other things to get me out of the house for a couple of hours. I think we both have made comments that we will be watching a lot of our Netflix movies, as well as the movies that we are currently in the works with! As most of you know, I have a lot of movies, and we have only begun to scratch the surface!
Cooking hasn't been anything new, not for a while, though I am hoping to try some new things out here soon! I know that Mike wants me to make the pulled pork again, and I am leaning towards that green chicken chili one again! Either way, I'm sure I'll manage something. Tonight I am making spaghetti, and I am looking forward to some good ol' fashioned comfort food...yes, I am weird to think that it is comfort food, but oh well.
I've also updated my photography website! It's finally done! I've selected a few photos that I thought were the best and put them up, instead of having the whole lot of them up there, so it's much easier to navigate, and the layout is new too! Instead of each individual gallery just hanging in the open, they are in categories, and then you see the galleries! Much more organized too! I'm hoping to see a change in sales too, and I know that my pictures look much nicer since I've taken a photoshop class, not that I have edited my photos that much. I think the only thing I really did was just brighten the colors a little. Either way, you should hop over and take a look and comment on the pictures you like because it will help me out not only to know what people like, but also it will increase my ratings so that other people who do not know me personally, will be able to see them! So please, please, please go to the site and start rating and commenting! http://www.mfahey.smugmug.com/
Today, Mike and I will be going to the mall to buy him a button down shirt and some new fleece sweat pants for when he has surgery. We have other small errands to run, but this is the most important...it's also going to be interesting since Mike likes to order his clothes online instead of going to a store and trying things on. Call me old fashioned, but I like to go and try things on, because the things that look good on the hanger, usually look horrible on!
I found out earlier this week, that my aunt Deborah, the eldest of the twins, is finally pregnant! She's been trying for a long time, and I am so happy for her that it's finally come! I know that they will be great parents and it will be nice to finally have a cousin in the family! Maybe one day soon, it will be Mike and My's turn! My mom said that she thought it would be funny if both Deborah and I were pregnant at the same time, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes...not in a disrespectful way, mind you, but just because I am not so sure that would be "funny" and she does have a weird sense of humor! It will happen when it will happen.
Mike is finishing up making breakfast, so I best get off and eat some good food that I did not have to prepare! So with all of that said, thank you to those who are reading my blog! I feel like I am not wasting my time after all! Keep up the reading, and I will keep up with the writing!
Until next time!
I woke up this morning to snow on the ground! What is so funny to me, is that I had just told Mike yesterday morning that I was wishing for snow....mainly because I didn't want to have to go out and mow the yard, but also....well, honestly, that's really all the reasons for wishing for snow! Because I am a summer baby, I love the warm...but I do like snow too, it's just not in my nature to wish for it or do a snow dance!
We do usually get snow about this time, but it's usually closer to Halloween. Every year for the past four years or so, we have never failed to have snow on Halloween. It's nice to see that we are branching out a little this year!
My mom has been out of town for the week and won't be coming back for another week to follow, so I've been watching my niece, Willow. It's super cute to walk in the door and see her face light up and she comes running over to me and begins to run in place. Okay, maybe not "running" but she is telling me that she wants to be chased. I started to play with her that way a month ago, and she loves it! So, I end up playing with her like that for about an hour, before I'm needing a break! She knows that my mom is gone and wasn't quite herself the first day that I watched her, but now she is starting to become more like her old self, and that is always nice to see!
Mike's surgery is upcoming this week. Thursday to be exact. We are both looking forward to it, as much as a person can look forward to surgery, but we know that he needs it and that life will be much more enjoyable once it is complete. He has talked with a nurse that he works with in the ICU who also had this surgery done this year, though hers was much worse, as you can imagine with lifting and moving patients that are around 300+ pounds; so he has more confidence instilled in him, and he knows that this is the right move to make in the long run. He has his good days where there is little pain, but then he remembers those days that were not so great, and decides that he really does need the procedure.
I am looking forward to having him in the house with me, everyday for the next month and a half, and if I need a break, I have other things to get me out of the house for a couple of hours. I think we both have made comments that we will be watching a lot of our Netflix movies, as well as the movies that we are currently in the works with! As most of you know, I have a lot of movies, and we have only begun to scratch the surface!
Cooking hasn't been anything new, not for a while, though I am hoping to try some new things out here soon! I know that Mike wants me to make the pulled pork again, and I am leaning towards that green chicken chili one again! Either way, I'm sure I'll manage something. Tonight I am making spaghetti, and I am looking forward to some good ol' fashioned comfort food...yes, I am weird to think that it is comfort food, but oh well.
I've also updated my photography website! It's finally done! I've selected a few photos that I thought were the best and put them up, instead of having the whole lot of them up there, so it's much easier to navigate, and the layout is new too! Instead of each individual gallery just hanging in the open, they are in categories, and then you see the galleries! Much more organized too! I'm hoping to see a change in sales too, and I know that my pictures look much nicer since I've taken a photoshop class, not that I have edited my photos that much. I think the only thing I really did was just brighten the colors a little. Either way, you should hop over and take a look and comment on the pictures you like because it will help me out not only to know what people like, but also it will increase my ratings so that other people who do not know me personally, will be able to see them! So please, please, please go to the site and start rating and commenting! http://www.mfahey.smugmug.com/
Today, Mike and I will be going to the mall to buy him a button down shirt and some new fleece sweat pants for when he has surgery. We have other small errands to run, but this is the most important...it's also going to be interesting since Mike likes to order his clothes online instead of going to a store and trying things on. Call me old fashioned, but I like to go and try things on, because the things that look good on the hanger, usually look horrible on!
I found out earlier this week, that my aunt Deborah, the eldest of the twins, is finally pregnant! She's been trying for a long time, and I am so happy for her that it's finally come! I know that they will be great parents and it will be nice to finally have a cousin in the family! Maybe one day soon, it will be Mike and My's turn! My mom said that she thought it would be funny if both Deborah and I were pregnant at the same time, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes...not in a disrespectful way, mind you, but just because I am not so sure that would be "funny" and she does have a weird sense of humor! It will happen when it will happen.
Mike is finishing up making breakfast, so I best get off and eat some good food that I did not have to prepare! So with all of that said, thank you to those who are reading my blog! I feel like I am not wasting my time after all! Keep up the reading, and I will keep up with the writing!
Until next time!
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Green Chicken Chili with White Beans
Mike has mentioned numerous times to me about finding a crock-pot chili. So when I was looking through a new edition of my cookbook magazine, I found two recipes for slow cooker chili. We decided to try one of them, and sure enough, it's a keeper! Now we found another meal to make, and Mike has found a chili crock pot recipe! Everyone wins!
Here's the recipe: Green Chicken Chili with White Beans
1 1/2 cups dry great Northern beans
4 cups chopped tomatillos
4 cups seeded, diced Anaheim chiles (About 8 chiles) {My store didn't have any, so I used yellow chiles peppers}
2 cups diced onion
2 cups diced jalapenos (About 5 peppers)
3 tablespoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground coriander
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken (I used a pound of chicken that I diced)
1/4 cup masa harina (I used 2 tablespoons of flour and corn starch)
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
salt and pepper to taste
Soak beans according to package directions; drain and add to slow cooker.
Add Anaheim chiles, onion, jalapenos, garlic, cumin, oregano, coriander and broth to slow cooker. Cook chili on high heat until beans are tender, about 4.5 hours. Stir in chicken (unless you used raw chicken like I did, then you'd want to add that with everything else) and masa harina into chili. Cook 30 minutes more. Stir in lime juice. Season chili with salt and pepper.
Enjoy!
Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
I have subscribed to a cookbook magazine and I get them once every two months or so. I love these magazines! Not only do they have pictures for every recipe and provide you with side dish ideas, but there are no ads what-so-ever! Not to mention that we have found a lot of really good meals in them! The most recent one that I have received, I found this recipe as I was making a shopping list. Both Mike and I were excited to make them!
Here's the recipe: Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cup buttermilk
4 ounces cream cheese or Cooking creme
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
vegetable oil
Preheat oven to 200* with a cookie sheet inside.
Combine flour, sugar, apple pie spice, baking soda and salt in a bowl. Set aside.
Whisk together buttermilk, cooking creme or cream cheese, maple syrup, egg and vanilla in a separate bowl. Fold buttermilk mixture into dry ingredients just until moistened. (Small lumps are okay) Let batter rest 10 minutes.
Heat a large griddle or non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Brush griddle with a thin layer of oil. For each pancake, pour about 1/3 cup of batter onto the griddle.
Cook batter until bubbles form on surface, 2-3 minutes. Flip pancakes and cook until golden, 2-3 minutes more. Keep pancakes warm on cookie sheet in the oven while cooking the remaining pancakes. Oil griddle as needed.
For Creamy Icing
6 ounces cooking creme or Cream Cheese
1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
1/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-2 tablespoons warm water
Whisk cooking creme or cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, buttermilk, and vanilla in a saucepan over medium heat until warm. Add water as needed to thin sauce until desired consistency is reached.
For Spiced Maple Syrup
3/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
2 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/4 teaspoon apple pie spice
Heat maple syrup, sweetened condensed milk, butter and spice in a small saucepan over medium heat until butter melts and apple pie spice dissolves. (About 5 minutes)
Top your pancakes with your icing and syrup.
Enjoy!
Slow Cooker Texas Pulled Pork Sandwiches
After having some pulled pork sandwiches at Invesco Field for our football game, I wanted to make some at home. I found a great slow cooker recipe that we will definitely be using again! Mike has used the leftovers on salads too!
Here's the recipe: Slow Cooker Texas Pulled Pork Sandwiches
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
4 pound pork shoulder roast (I used a 5lb boneless pork roast)
1 cup barbecue sauce (I used the whole bottle)
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 extra large onion, chopped
2 large garlic gloves, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
Pour the vegetable oil in the bottom of the slow cooker. Place the roast in the slow cooker. Pour in the barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar and broth. Stir in the rest of the ingredients. Cover and cook on high for 5-6 hours or until the roast can be easily shredded with two forks. (I believe I cooked it for about 7-8 hours). Remove roast from slow cooker, and shred with forks. Place meat back into the cooker and stir into the juices. Cook another 15 minutes to allow the juices to soak into the meat. Place on toasted buns and add your favorite condiments.
Enjoy!
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
When I wrote down my shopping list as well as my menu for the week, I asked Mike if there was anything he would like to add. As he looked over both lists, his eyes fell upon this recipe and immediately wanted them...that day. Much to his disappointment, I didn't make them that day but instead made them three days ago. The cookies didn't last that long...
Here's the recipe: Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon milk
1 tablespoon vanilla paste or extract
2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips
Combine pumpkin, sugar, vegetable oil and egg. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.
Dissolve baking soda in the milk and stir in. Add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture and mix well. Add vanilla and chocolate chips. Drop by spoonful on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350* for 10 minutes or until lightly brown and slightly firm. (I baked them at 360* for 12 minutes)
Enjoy!
Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches
I always ask Mike what he wants to eat for the week, and sometimes I get a bunch of ideas, and sometimes, I am left to find something on my own. When football season started, I decided to make Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches. It was simple and easy to make, and Mike enjoyed them immensely.
Here's the recipe: Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches
1 tablespoon butter or margarine, melted
2 medium onions, sliced
1 pound boneless beef round steak cut into strips.
2 teaspoons garlic-pepper blend (I used garlic and added some pepper to taste)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 large green pepper, sliced
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon beef-flavored bouillon
1 ounce provolone cheese, halved
In medium bowl, combine butter and onions, mix to coat. Sprinkle steak strips with garlic-pepper blend and salt.
In a 3 to 4 quart crock pot, layer half of the onions, all of the steak strips, and bell pepper. Top with remaining onions. In a measuring cup, combine water and bouillon, stir until dissolved. Pour over mixture in slow cooker.
Cover; cook on low for 6-8 hours.
About 10 minutes before serving, place bun halves, cut side up, on ungreased cookie sheet. With slotted spoon, top bottom halves with beef mixture. Top each with 2 pieces of cheese. Broil 2-3 inches from heat until cheese is melted and top halves are toasted. Place top halves over cheese.
Enjoy!
Sweet and Sour Pork
Mike and I went through a phase a few months ago, where we wanted Chinese food...a lot. On our first Christmas, I bought Mike a cookbook that had Chinese, Thai and Japanese recipes...who knew, that I'd be the one to use it! I made this meal and it was quite simple and yummy! We had a couple days of leftovers and it was still as good as day one!
Here's the recipe: Sweet and Sour Pork
3/4 pound boneless pork (I used a full pound or about 4 pork chops)
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
16 ounces frozen pepper stir fry (I used fresh peppers and onions)
1 tablespoon water
14 ounces sweet and sour sauce (I found a 14.5oz bottle and used the whole thing)
8 ounces pineapple chunks (I used fresh pineapple)
Cut pork into thin strips. (Or bite size pieces)
In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat.
Add pork; stir fry until browned.
Add vegetables and water; cover and cook over medium heat (5-7 minutes or until vegetables are tender-crisp)
Uncover; stir in sweet and sour sauce and pineapple. Cook until heated through.
Serve over rice. Enjoy with your favorite pot stickers or egg rolls!
Enjoy!
Where Do I Begin?
Hey everyone!
Sorry that I haven't posted anything in a really long time. Been quite busy here!
I'll just sum up the important things...
I have been spending most of my time divided with house and yard work (especially due to yet another complaint to Code Enforcement for weeds that were only 5 inches tall...yes, I measured), cooking, taking care of Mike, Mom and Willow, throw in some picture fixing and that's been my life for a while. Crazy!
I still have a few more photos to work on, but I'm almost there, I can almost taste it! I can't wait to be finished with the project and have everything up on the site, though that in itself will be a chore! But if it looks better and helps move things, then I'm okay with that kind of chore! I'll keep you up to date as that comes to an end!
Mike is going to be having surgery on October 13th, and will be out of commission for 6.5 weeks. In that time, I'll be the nurse/nanny and making sure that he is healing properly and getting to his appointments as he will not be able to drive. Be sure to pray that everything goes well for him and that the recovery is speedy!
We are both looking forward to having Mike's family out for Thanksgiving and we're already trying to plan activities! It will be a fun and exciting time for both of us and hopefully, for the family!
As usual, there is always drama, and with that said, I'll leave it at that!
Be sure to look for the next few recipes, as I will be posting them shortly and forgive my photos of these meals, as I was in a rush, and had tremors.
Until next time!
Sorry that I haven't posted anything in a really long time. Been quite busy here!
I'll just sum up the important things...
I have been spending most of my time divided with house and yard work (especially due to yet another complaint to Code Enforcement for weeds that were only 5 inches tall...yes, I measured), cooking, taking care of Mike, Mom and Willow, throw in some picture fixing and that's been my life for a while. Crazy!
I still have a few more photos to work on, but I'm almost there, I can almost taste it! I can't wait to be finished with the project and have everything up on the site, though that in itself will be a chore! But if it looks better and helps move things, then I'm okay with that kind of chore! I'll keep you up to date as that comes to an end!
Mike is going to be having surgery on October 13th, and will be out of commission for 6.5 weeks. In that time, I'll be the nurse/nanny and making sure that he is healing properly and getting to his appointments as he will not be able to drive. Be sure to pray that everything goes well for him and that the recovery is speedy!
We are both looking forward to having Mike's family out for Thanksgiving and we're already trying to plan activities! It will be a fun and exciting time for both of us and hopefully, for the family!
As usual, there is always drama, and with that said, I'll leave it at that!
Be sure to look for the next few recipes, as I will be posting them shortly and forgive my photos of these meals, as I was in a rush, and had tremors.
Until next time!
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Watching the Time Slowly Drift By
Hello everyone!
It hasn't been that long since I've last written, and I find myself rather bored, and felt that I could probably update you on a little of the world on this end. (Even though, there really might not be enough to write about).
So yesterday was my cleaning day. I ended up not really having the motivation to do much of anything but as soon as I started working on one thing, I ended up starting another, and another, until finally things were completely taken care of.
Mike had mentioned that our shower was clogged up, so I ended up pulling two rather large and quite foul globs of hair from the drain, adding some Drain-O and fixing the problem. I feel quite empowered, as silly as that is, but it's nice to not have to rely on a man to fix things that need to be fixed, if you know what I mean!
Once the house was cleaned and picked up, and laundry going, I started to make dinner. Even though we wouldn't be eating it for some time, I made it in advance so that it's less for me to do later in the evening, and we get to eat sooner, when that time came. Mike walked in after work to the smell of homemade lasagna baking in the oven...needless to say, I fear that it will all be gone by tomorrow...
Not much has been going on today. I randomly picked some shirts, pants and a jacket to take into the dry cleaners for Mike. He has a Critical Care Conference to attend on Friday and Saturday, and was in need of some clothes of the nice variety. Currently, all of his nice clothes were in a big pile on the floor of our closet. I grabbed a few of them, and took them in to be dry cleaned. I get to pick them up tomorrow.
This Saturday is also the day of the big football game that I got tickets for Mike to see. He's planning on being home as soon as his conference is over, then we make a trip up to Denver for the game and dinner, probably in the reverse order. It should be nice to spend some time together, doing something I would probably never have done before, mainly because I'm not a huge sports fanatic, but also because I just don't like crowds and things like that. I know that he really enjoys sports and has been very good the last few years, so this is my way of saying "Thank You".
I haven't been making anything out of the norm for us, meal wise. I will be posting the recipe for lasagna later on this week (I'm hoping), but other than that, I don't believe that there has been much else.
People in town have been rather rude lately. I sometimes wonder if there is something in the air or water. Sometimes, it's just not worth socializing with people that are rude and give off that "I'm better than you" attitude, or whatever it is. It's uncalled for, really. It makes you appreciate life a little more when you realize that you're not that bad of a person, when you meet people like that. Sometimes, I think that it's nice to run into those people just to prove that you're not an ugly (meaning personality) person, if that makes sense?
So, funny story...sort of. I went to mow the yard about a week ago, and couldn't get the cord to pull more than a couple centimeters. I thought that maybe it was the cord stuck on something, and even my mom mentioned that as well, but I still couldn't get it to work. So Mike and I decide that we would just take it in somewhere and get it fixed, as well as get the blades sharpened. We took it to a local Sears, and the guy tells us that it would be two weeks before we'd see it again. That didn't really work for us, but we didn't have much choice. As the guy came to look at it, it turned out that there was so much build up that was causing the blades to not move. Once he removed most of it, and tried to pull the cord, he could. Problem solved. I had thought about that, but then I figured that, that couldn't be the cause, so I just never went forward with it. My mistake! So the next day, I start to mow, and the whole time I am mowing, our jerky neighbor is watching me! Talk about creepy! I've always disliked this guy, and I get uncomfortable with him every time he either talks or looks at me. Red flags raise, the hair on the back of my neck stands at attention...like there is something seriously wrong with this guy! So I look up and see him watching me as I mow...(shudder). I told Mike that I will feel much more comfortable when we get a fence up...not just for me and Mike, but for our future kids, because if I am feeling this way about this creep, I don't want my kids playing outside where he can possibly grab them! I know that probably sounds paranoid or that I am over-reacting, but I trust my "sixth sense" and I've not been wrong about these things in the past!
So, there hasn't been much more, aside from the usual drama that is life, maybe there is a little more, but like I said, it's drama!
Until next time!
It hasn't been that long since I've last written, and I find myself rather bored, and felt that I could probably update you on a little of the world on this end. (Even though, there really might not be enough to write about).
So yesterday was my cleaning day. I ended up not really having the motivation to do much of anything but as soon as I started working on one thing, I ended up starting another, and another, until finally things were completely taken care of.
Mike had mentioned that our shower was clogged up, so I ended up pulling two rather large and quite foul globs of hair from the drain, adding some Drain-O and fixing the problem. I feel quite empowered, as silly as that is, but it's nice to not have to rely on a man to fix things that need to be fixed, if you know what I mean!
Once the house was cleaned and picked up, and laundry going, I started to make dinner. Even though we wouldn't be eating it for some time, I made it in advance so that it's less for me to do later in the evening, and we get to eat sooner, when that time came. Mike walked in after work to the smell of homemade lasagna baking in the oven...needless to say, I fear that it will all be gone by tomorrow...
Not much has been going on today. I randomly picked some shirts, pants and a jacket to take into the dry cleaners for Mike. He has a Critical Care Conference to attend on Friday and Saturday, and was in need of some clothes of the nice variety. Currently, all of his nice clothes were in a big pile on the floor of our closet. I grabbed a few of them, and took them in to be dry cleaned. I get to pick them up tomorrow.
This Saturday is also the day of the big football game that I got tickets for Mike to see. He's planning on being home as soon as his conference is over, then we make a trip up to Denver for the game and dinner, probably in the reverse order. It should be nice to spend some time together, doing something I would probably never have done before, mainly because I'm not a huge sports fanatic, but also because I just don't like crowds and things like that. I know that he really enjoys sports and has been very good the last few years, so this is my way of saying "Thank You".
I haven't been making anything out of the norm for us, meal wise. I will be posting the recipe for lasagna later on this week (I'm hoping), but other than that, I don't believe that there has been much else.
People in town have been rather rude lately. I sometimes wonder if there is something in the air or water. Sometimes, it's just not worth socializing with people that are rude and give off that "I'm better than you" attitude, or whatever it is. It's uncalled for, really. It makes you appreciate life a little more when you realize that you're not that bad of a person, when you meet people like that. Sometimes, I think that it's nice to run into those people just to prove that you're not an ugly (meaning personality) person, if that makes sense?
So, funny story...sort of. I went to mow the yard about a week ago, and couldn't get the cord to pull more than a couple centimeters. I thought that maybe it was the cord stuck on something, and even my mom mentioned that as well, but I still couldn't get it to work. So Mike and I decide that we would just take it in somewhere and get it fixed, as well as get the blades sharpened. We took it to a local Sears, and the guy tells us that it would be two weeks before we'd see it again. That didn't really work for us, but we didn't have much choice. As the guy came to look at it, it turned out that there was so much build up that was causing the blades to not move. Once he removed most of it, and tried to pull the cord, he could. Problem solved. I had thought about that, but then I figured that, that couldn't be the cause, so I just never went forward with it. My mistake! So the next day, I start to mow, and the whole time I am mowing, our jerky neighbor is watching me! Talk about creepy! I've always disliked this guy, and I get uncomfortable with him every time he either talks or looks at me. Red flags raise, the hair on the back of my neck stands at attention...like there is something seriously wrong with this guy! So I look up and see him watching me as I mow...(shudder). I told Mike that I will feel much more comfortable when we get a fence up...not just for me and Mike, but for our future kids, because if I am feeling this way about this creep, I don't want my kids playing outside where he can possibly grab them! I know that probably sounds paranoid or that I am over-reacting, but I trust my "sixth sense" and I've not been wrong about these things in the past!
So, there hasn't been much more, aside from the usual drama that is life, maybe there is a little more, but like I said, it's drama!
Until next time!
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Peanut Butter Balls
Growing up, one of the things that my mom would make as a quick treat, was Peanut Butter Balls. Now, I'm not the biggest fan of peanut butter. In fact, I sometimes refuse to eat it...period. Once in a while, I enjoy the peanut butter M&Ms, or Reese's, but I just don't like it anymore. I was thinking that it would be a nice gesture, since Mike likes PB, to make him these little snacks that he could either take to work or have quickly here at the house, and so, I made them last night and I double the recipe!
Here's the recipe: Peanut Butter Balls
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 cup sweetened condensed milk
2 cups chocolate chips
2 cup smooth peanut butter
Place everything into a mixing bowl, mix by hand thoroughly. Roll into balls and place on cookie sheet or in a baking dish. Refrigerate. Eat chilled.
Enjoy!
Tuna Casserole
The first time that I made my family's version of Tuna Casserole, Mike very politely ate it, but mentioned that it was rather bland. So when I asked him what he wanted to have for the week of meals, he stated that Tuna Casserole sounded good, but only if we doctored up the version that I had. So, I sent a text to a friend to ask him for his recipe of the meal, because I remember loving it when I was eating it. He promptly sent me the recipe, and the verdict was that it was much better than the one that I had made before...I sense that the old recipe has been replaced!
Here's the recipe: Tuna Casserole
16 oz egg noodles
2 cans tuna fish in water
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
8 oz shredded cheese (I used a Colby mix, but I hear the mozzarella/cheddar blend is best)
milk to fill one of soup cans
paprika
garlic powder
Do not preheat the oven! (I had to ask about this, because I'm used to preheating the oven! Once the meal is ready to go, put in the oven and turn it on, the cook time is counting this process.)
Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain. Add soup, (save one of the cans for the milk), tuna, undrained, and 1/2-3/4 soup can worth of milk. Season generously with paprika. Add garlic powder to taste. Mix thoroughly. Add cheese and mix. Bake at 375* for 35 minutes.
Enjoy!
Easy Oreo Truffles
I saw this recipe in my Oreo cookbook and thought, I could do that, and it'd be yummy...they left out on important step, and I will include it so that you don't have to face the frustrations that Mike and I did!
Here's the recipe: Easy Oreo Truffles
8 oz Cream Cheese, softened
1 pound 2 oz Oreo cookies, (Not double stuff) finely chopped
2 packages (8 squares each) Baker's Semi-Sweet Chocolate, melted
Mix cream cheese and 3 cups cookie crumbs until well blended.
Note: This is where the recipe left out an important tip! If you try to handle the mix while it's softened, you'll have issues as I did. Instead, try chilling it, to make it easier on yourself! Chill until it's easy to roll into balls and dip into melted chocolate!
Shape into 1 inch balls. Dip in melted chocolate; place on wax paper. Sprinkle with remaining cookies, if you have any left, as we did not!
Refrigerate one hour, or until firm!
Note: Use any leftover chocolate with fresh cut fruit!
Enjoy!
Seven Layer Rigatoni
In a desperate attempt to find new things to make for dinner, I borrow some old recipe books from my brother, and I'm pretty sure, that he's not missing them! One of the meals that I selected was this. It's pretty easy to make, and I cut corners too, and it didn't seem to make much of a difference! We had leftovers for Mike to take to work, and things were good in the house!
Here's the recipe: Seven Layer Rigatoni
3 cups uncooked rigatoni pasta (9oz)
1 pound Italian sausage
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tablespoon dried basil
8 oz sliced mushrooms
1 red pepper, diced
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
2.5 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese
Heat oven to 375*. Spray rectangular baking dish, 13x9x2 with cooking spray. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package.
While pasta is cooking, cook sausage in skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally until fully cooked. Drain. Mix tomatoes, garlic and basil, add red pepper to mix.
Layer half each of the pasta, sausage, mushrooms, Parmesan, tomato mixture, and mozzarella. Repeat layers. (I cut this corner. I added everything, no layers.)
Bake uncovered 35-40 minutes or until hot and cheese is golden brown.
Enjoy!
Good One Dish Dinner
My great-grandmother had given my mother a few recipes when I was growing up, and some we have used multiple times, and well, the others are just forgotten! When my mom first made this meal, the whole family thought the smell was a turn off, but it was a great meal to have! Don't let the smell of the meal cooking put you off, for it truly is a very delicious meal and filling!
Here's the recipe: Good One Dish Dinner
1 pound beef stew strips
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
salt and pepper to taste
garlic powder to taste
1 can tomatoes, whole or diced
2 large green peppers, sliced or diced
rice, cooked
Place everything except the tomatoes, peppers and rice into the slow cooker/crock-pot and turn on low, cooking for 5-6 hours. Add the tomatoes, and peppers. Cook one hour longer. If it's too watery, thicken with a little cornstarch. Serve over cooked rice.
Enjoy!
Stuffed Green Peppers or Spanish Rice
I have had friends order Stuffed Peppers in restaurants because they said that they don't know how to make it at home. My reply has always been, "If you know how to make Spanish Rice, you know how to make stuffed peppers". That's the truth, because that's all that it is. With this recipe, you can either stuff peppers with it, or eat it without the peppers...either way, it's great and gives you leftovers!
Here's the recipe: Stuffed Peppers or Spanish Rice
1 pound ground hamburger
basil to taste
onion, chopped
cheese slices
1 can tomatoes, crushed
oregano to taste
garlic powder to taste
pepper and salt to taste
rice, cooked
1 can tomato sauce
green peppers (I get 4 for two people, unless you are doing Spanish rice, just get one.)
Brown hamburger, onion and green pepper (if you are strictly making Spanish rice). Drain grease. Add the rest of the ingredients, mix well. Grease pan and stuff peppers with the Spanish rice, and place into the greased pan. Bake 350* for 30-45 minutes.
Enjoy!
Grilled Pesto Pizza
Mike and I love pesto! Mike makes the best homemade pesto and we have it with a lot of different things, but we enjoy it most on pizza! We have had many friends and co-workers ask us how you grill pizza...and well, here it is.
Here's the recipe: Grilled Pesto Pizza
Bobali pizza crust
Pesto (homemade or store bought)
Mozzarella cheese
Your favorite pizza toppings!
The instructions are simple: Make your pizza however you want it, using pesto (or pizza sauce if you don't like pesto), and place it on the warm grill until the cheese has melted thoroughly in the center. Don't grill on high heat, for you will burn the crust!
Enjoy!
Busy Nothings
Hello all!
It's been another long spell since I've last updated the blog. I guess I don't have the discipline to write daily online, but at least I am able to write in it more than once a month! That's a plus!
So, there really hasn't been anything major going on in the world for us. The most recent things have been that Mike has been doing his PT weekly, but has been doing his exercises at home almost daily, and he can feel a difference, which means it's working, and it's a good thing!
I'm working on my last few folders of pictures to redo the web page, and after those are complete and the site is updated, then I will meet with a photographer here in town to discuss the essential tricks and skills I need to perfect. I'm hoping to get this off the ground soon, and I am sure that Mike would agree full heartily! Even though I have done a few weddings and portraits, it's not near what I am truly aiming for. Little bit at a time, I suppose.
I surprised Mike last night by finding some rather cheap tickets online for a football game in Denver. The Broncos are playing the Seahawks, and I know how much football season means to him, and he has been such a trooper the last few years about selecting which games are important to him to watch, and I've gotten his time when there isn't an "important" game playing, and this is one reason that I thought about doing this for him. The other reasons, aside from being in love with him and wanting him to be happy, is because he does so much for me, and I wanted to do something special to show him that I appreciate everything that he has done, and continues to do for me, not to mention the things that he sacrifices for me, and for us. Going to a football game and actually seeing it live, might give me more appreciation for the sport. I love hockey, but there is nothing better than seeing it live, and I am hoping the same is for football.
There are a few recipes that I will also add to the blog once this is finished, and there are some that I can see making again, but changing the rules slightly to better help make the process a lot easier. One in particular is the Oreo Truffles that I made a week ago. The recipe never said to cool the batter before dunking into the melted chocolate, so needless to say, Mike and I had our hands full trying to make it work. So I will add in my notes to make sure that you cool the batter first! But the bonus of that dessert, is that we had a lot of melted chocolate leftover, so we bought some strawberries and had them with the rest of the melted chocolate! It was yummy!
Tomorrow, I've got to try and figure out why our lawn mower isn't working, and then I can actually tame the furry lawn that is our yard. It's mostly weeds, but at least it's green! From a distance, it looks like grass! That's a plus, right?
Not much going on...we are going to a games night on Friday night after Mike gets a haircut, since his hair is getting really long! Aside from a few gray hairs, he looks younger with longer hair, but he looks better with shorter hair! Either way, I'm happy, but I know he prefers shorter! My mom's birthday is on Friday, and Mike and I will be stopping by to visit with her and eat lunch with her. It will be a good day on Friday, just rather busy and social.
Well, I think that about covers everything!
Until next time!
It's been another long spell since I've last updated the blog. I guess I don't have the discipline to write daily online, but at least I am able to write in it more than once a month! That's a plus!
So, there really hasn't been anything major going on in the world for us. The most recent things have been that Mike has been doing his PT weekly, but has been doing his exercises at home almost daily, and he can feel a difference, which means it's working, and it's a good thing!
I'm working on my last few folders of pictures to redo the web page, and after those are complete and the site is updated, then I will meet with a photographer here in town to discuss the essential tricks and skills I need to perfect. I'm hoping to get this off the ground soon, and I am sure that Mike would agree full heartily! Even though I have done a few weddings and portraits, it's not near what I am truly aiming for. Little bit at a time, I suppose.
I surprised Mike last night by finding some rather cheap tickets online for a football game in Denver. The Broncos are playing the Seahawks, and I know how much football season means to him, and he has been such a trooper the last few years about selecting which games are important to him to watch, and I've gotten his time when there isn't an "important" game playing, and this is one reason that I thought about doing this for him. The other reasons, aside from being in love with him and wanting him to be happy, is because he does so much for me, and I wanted to do something special to show him that I appreciate everything that he has done, and continues to do for me, not to mention the things that he sacrifices for me, and for us. Going to a football game and actually seeing it live, might give me more appreciation for the sport. I love hockey, but there is nothing better than seeing it live, and I am hoping the same is for football.
There are a few recipes that I will also add to the blog once this is finished, and there are some that I can see making again, but changing the rules slightly to better help make the process a lot easier. One in particular is the Oreo Truffles that I made a week ago. The recipe never said to cool the batter before dunking into the melted chocolate, so needless to say, Mike and I had our hands full trying to make it work. So I will add in my notes to make sure that you cool the batter first! But the bonus of that dessert, is that we had a lot of melted chocolate leftover, so we bought some strawberries and had them with the rest of the melted chocolate! It was yummy!
Tomorrow, I've got to try and figure out why our lawn mower isn't working, and then I can actually tame the furry lawn that is our yard. It's mostly weeds, but at least it's green! From a distance, it looks like grass! That's a plus, right?
Not much going on...we are going to a games night on Friday night after Mike gets a haircut, since his hair is getting really long! Aside from a few gray hairs, he looks younger with longer hair, but he looks better with shorter hair! Either way, I'm happy, but I know he prefers shorter! My mom's birthday is on Friday, and Mike and I will be stopping by to visit with her and eat lunch with her. It will be a good day on Friday, just rather busy and social.
Well, I think that about covers everything!
Until next time!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Chicken Breast Supreme
This was another meal that I used to make when I was living at home with my mother and brother. It was one that I thought of and knew that Mike would love it! I was right! It's a simple meal, and it is so good, that it leaves you wanting more! The chicken is super moist and juicy too!
Here's the recipe: Chicken Breast Supreme
2 slices of bacon
4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1 can of mushrooms (your choice on size of can. I use the small one because Mike doesn't like them)
1 can cream of chicken soup
2 tablespoons of dry sherry, if desired.
3 ounces Swiss cheese, sliced.
1 tablespoon of chopped chives
Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, or to your taste. Remove bacon from skillet and drain on paper towels. Reserve bacon drippings in skillet.
Add chicken to bacon drippings in skillet, cook over medium high heat for 3-5 minutes or until lightly browned, turning once. Transfer chicken to 4-6 quart slow cooker. Top with mushrooms. In same skillet, stir together soup and sherry (if you choose to use any). Spoon over mushrooms.
Cover; cook on low setting for 3-4 hours.
Top mixture in slow cooker with cheese slices. Sprinkle with chives, crumble bacon over cheese. Cover; cook on high for additional 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Enjoy!
Greek Chicken Pita Folds
I know that Mike also enjoys some Greek dishes, and again, I've not had the experiences required to be jumping up and down for those types of dishes, but I have had this one before, and thought that Mike would enjoy it. I had only one the day I made it, and Mike finished the rest! I'm glad that he enjoyed them as much as he did! I think we will be having this one again, but I think I'll be double the meal!
Here's the recipe: Greek Chicken Pita Folds
1 medium onion, sliced or diced
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken
1 1/2 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/4 allspice
pita bread
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 tomato, sliced
1/2 cucumber, chopped
In a 4-6 quart slow cooker, combine onion, garlic, chicken, lemon-pepper, allspice, and oregano; mix together until everything is coated with seasoning.
Cover; cook on low for 6-8 hours.
About 10 minutes before serving, heat pita bread according to directions. Meanwhile, remove chicken from slow cooker, and shred using two forks. Stir yogurt into onion mixture. Spoon chicken onto pita bread, with slotted spoon, transfer onion mixture onto chicken, top with tomato and cucumber. Fold in half and serve.
Enjoy!
Guinness Cupcakes
After the Pumpkin Cheesecake bars became such a hit, I found yet another dessert that would rock Mike's taste buds. I wasn't sure that I was going to like them, but I actually really do! They are very moist and you cannot even taste the Guinness in them at all! They are easy to make, and yummy to eat!
Here's the recipe: Guinness Cupcakes
1 (12 oz) bottle of Guinness Stout
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
3 large eggs
3/4 cup sour cream (I used a little more, but close enough)
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
2 cups sugar
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Preheat the oven to 350*.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the Guinness, milk, vegetable oil and vanilla. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Mix in the sour cream.
In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the cocoa, sugar, flour and baking soda. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet Guinness mixture.
Butter or line muffin tins and divide the batter among the tins. (I put only what could fit without baking out of the tins.)
Bake for 25 minutes, until risen and set in the middle but still soft and tender. Cool before turning out of the tins. (I didn't wait until cool because I had to bake the rest before dinner)
You can make your own frosting, or you can buy the pre-made vanilla frosting. I used a pre-made frosting and it's still just as good!
Enjoy!
Turkey Chili
This is a great recipe to make when Thanksgiving has come to pass and you are left with all of these leftovers! I had over six bags of leftover turkey last year, and was desperate to find a way to use them up! In fact, I still had a bag of turkey in my freezer this last week, so I ended up making this again! Mike even jumped in to make a few changes to the recipe, but it was still really good!
Here's the recipe: Turkey Chili
Turkey, cut up into small pieces (Also watch for bones that snuck in!)
Black, pinto or kidney beans (If they are hard, soak them first!)
V8 tomato juice (I use the Spicy flavoring)
Onion, diced
Chili powder
Cayenne pepper powder
Tomatoes, if desired, diced.
Heat the turkey pieces, onion, chili powder and cayenne until warm. The onions will start to cook. Add the beans and V8 juice. Stir occasionally, but simmer on medium to low heat for 30 minutes. If you choose to add fresh tomatoes, add them in about three to five minutes before serving!
Enjoy!
Chicken Tacos
This was something that when I asked Mike what meals he wanted for the week, he requested tacos. He didn't care what kind, as long as it was in the taco family! He then decided that it would be healthier if it was chicken, so that is what I did. It's a simple and quick meal, and it doesn't take any time at all to prepare!
Here's the recipe: Chicken Tacos
1 pound of chicken, diced to bite size pieces
taco shells of your choice
lettuce, cut into bite size pieces
tomato, diced
onion, diced
green onions if desired.
Cook the chicken bits in olive oil until thoroughly cooked. Warm taco shells in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Place chicken into the shell, followed by your toppings of choice.
Enjoy!
Thai-Style Warm Noodle Salad
As I mentioned in a previous posting, I was going to surprise Mike with a Thai dish of some kind. One of the reasons that I have never made anything like it before, is because I haven't had a lot of experience even eating anything Thai, but I also said that with sushi, and I love it! Mike was generally surprised and ended up eating the entire batch of this the next day! I guess I should take that as a hit! =)
Here's the recipe: Thai-Style Warm Noodle Salad
8 ounces uncooked angel hair pasta
1/2 cup chunky peanut butter (I had a ton of smooth on hand, so I used that instead.)
1/4 cup soy sauce (Light or dark, should make a difference, but I used dark)
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (I added much more...mostly by accident!)
2 green onions, thinly sliced (I used about 4 or 5)
1 carrot (I used a big handful of the baby carrots)
Cook pasta according to package directions.
Meanwhile, blend peanut butter, soy sauce and pepper flakes in serving bowl until smooth.
Drain pasta, reserving 5 tablespoons of the water. Mix hot pasta water with peanut butter mixture until smooth; toss pasta with sauce. Stir in green onions and carrots. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Takes about 12 minutes total.
Note: This salad is very versatile as it is easy to make. It can be prepared a day ahead and served warm or cold- perfect for potlucks, picnics and even lunch boxes. You can also make it into a heartier meal by mixing in leftover chicken or beef.
Enjoy!
Another Long Break
Hello everyone!
Sorry, once again, for the late postings. It's been a rather odd ball month.
I'll spare you all the details, but things are getting better and are starting to look up. I've been slacking in the writing department in general. I haven't even touched my personal journal in about three weeks, and I usually write in it every morning, usually pages upon pages worth, but I've neglected that as well. I really need to set some time aside for this blog.
The weather here has been a constant rain/thunderstorm every evening, and sometimes during the entire day. I love rain and thunderstorms, though I used to hate them growing up, but nothing compares to Mike and my experience in Galway! Nothing comes close to it! I think that when it happened, I told Mike that I would never complain about rain again, and I can honestly say that I don't believe that I have yet!
Our yard is looking green, but as I mow it, I notice that it's all clover and moss in places with sections of good grass, but mostly weeds. I think that eventually, we will have a nice yard, but until then, I can settle with green!
Mike had his first PT session yesterday, and I think it went well. There are a lot of details that I feel shouldn't come from me, but things are fine, so to speak. I will be reminding him to do his daily exercises and make sure that he stays on top of them.
There have been a few new recipes that I have served up to Mike, some with his help too. It's always nice to have his help preparing meals and just being domestic! It may sound silly or even dumb, but I really enjoy those moments with him. It's almost as if we are being romantic in every mundane task in daily living. I think that in order to have a healthy and happy relationship, with anyone, you need that ability to just fall in with one another, whether it's running to the store, cooking or cleaning or even when you decide to shake things up a bit and travel or go out on a date together. All I know, and I'm about to get all sappy, but Mike makes me truly happy and I am so ecstatic to be married to my best friend! I know a lot of people who can not say the same thing, and I wish they could experience what I feel for Mike.
I'll set aside the mushy/sappy stuff for now, and move on. Mike is working a really hectic schedule this month. He's been working 5 days with 2 evenings, with one day off, followed by six days in a row, with one day off, with another five days on....I feel for him. I remember doing a similar schedule when I was working there, and I know that he really needs two days off in a row to recoup, but it seems as if they don't really care. I also know that they are short on staff right now, due to vacations and maternity leave, but still. I just wish that it was more of a set schedule, but unfortunately that is what happens when you work in a hospital. It comes with the job. He has to work holidays too, so it will make getting together with family difficult as it has for the two and half years we've been together. I just wish that everyone would understand that.
So, I will be trying to post more often. I've got a few recipes coming as well, so be sure to check them out!
Until next time!
Sorry, once again, for the late postings. It's been a rather odd ball month.
I'll spare you all the details, but things are getting better and are starting to look up. I've been slacking in the writing department in general. I haven't even touched my personal journal in about three weeks, and I usually write in it every morning, usually pages upon pages worth, but I've neglected that as well. I really need to set some time aside for this blog.
The weather here has been a constant rain/thunderstorm every evening, and sometimes during the entire day. I love rain and thunderstorms, though I used to hate them growing up, but nothing compares to Mike and my experience in Galway! Nothing comes close to it! I think that when it happened, I told Mike that I would never complain about rain again, and I can honestly say that I don't believe that I have yet!
Our yard is looking green, but as I mow it, I notice that it's all clover and moss in places with sections of good grass, but mostly weeds. I think that eventually, we will have a nice yard, but until then, I can settle with green!
Mike had his first PT session yesterday, and I think it went well. There are a lot of details that I feel shouldn't come from me, but things are fine, so to speak. I will be reminding him to do his daily exercises and make sure that he stays on top of them.
There have been a few new recipes that I have served up to Mike, some with his help too. It's always nice to have his help preparing meals and just being domestic! It may sound silly or even dumb, but I really enjoy those moments with him. It's almost as if we are being romantic in every mundane task in daily living. I think that in order to have a healthy and happy relationship, with anyone, you need that ability to just fall in with one another, whether it's running to the store, cooking or cleaning or even when you decide to shake things up a bit and travel or go out on a date together. All I know, and I'm about to get all sappy, but Mike makes me truly happy and I am so ecstatic to be married to my best friend! I know a lot of people who can not say the same thing, and I wish they could experience what I feel for Mike.
I'll set aside the mushy/sappy stuff for now, and move on. Mike is working a really hectic schedule this month. He's been working 5 days with 2 evenings, with one day off, followed by six days in a row, with one day off, with another five days on....I feel for him. I remember doing a similar schedule when I was working there, and I know that he really needs two days off in a row to recoup, but it seems as if they don't really care. I also know that they are short on staff right now, due to vacations and maternity leave, but still. I just wish that it was more of a set schedule, but unfortunately that is what happens when you work in a hospital. It comes with the job. He has to work holidays too, so it will make getting together with family difficult as it has for the two and half years we've been together. I just wish that everyone would understand that.
So, I will be trying to post more often. I've got a few recipes coming as well, so be sure to check them out!
Until next time!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Pumpkin Streusel Cheesecake Bars
Mike loves pumpkin! I enjoy it too, but not as much as he does! The only downside that I foresaw with trying this dessert out, was Mike not being a fan of cheesecake, but I tossed that aside and went for it. This recipe is super easy, and super yummy! This is great for any time of year, and I see this being a great choice for Thanksgiving!
Here's the recipe: Pumpkin Streusel Cheesecake Bars
Cookie Base:
1 pouch (1 lb, 1.5oz) Betty Crocker Oatmeal cookie mix
1/2 cup cinnamon graham cracker crumbs
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans (Mike doesn't like nuts, so I doubled the crackers)
1/2 cup cold butter or margarine
Filling:
2 packages (8oz each) cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin (not the pie mix) {I used the whole 3.5 cup serving size can)
2 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
2 tablespoons whipping cream (I used heavy whipping cream)
2 eggs
Heat oven to 350*. In a large bowl, stir together cookie mix, cracker crumbs, cinnamon and pecans. Cut in butter, using pastry blender or fork until mixture is crumbly. Reserve one cup for topping. Press remaining mixture in bottom of ungreased 13x9 pan. Bake 10 minutes. Cool 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add remaining filling ingredients; beat until well blended. Pour over warm cookie base. Sprinkle reserved topping. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until center is set. Cool for 30 minutes. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until chilled.
Before serving, drizzle with chocolate and caramel toppings. For bars, cut into 6 rows by 4 rows. Store covered in the refrigerator.
Notes: I didn't use any chocolate or caramel toppings. Instead, I used whipped cream and sprinkled a small amount of cinnamon on top of that.
Enjoy!
Goulash
This is another favorite of the Fahey household. It's simple and provides leftovers!
Here's the recipe: Goulash
1 pound ground hamburger
salt and pepper to taste
cheese (enough to thicken sauce a bit)
1 can tomato sauce
elbow noodles
basil
garlic powder
oregano
onion, diced
1 can tomatoes
Brown hamburger and onion. Drain grease. Add the rest of the ingredients and cook for 30 minutes. Cook noodles separately, drain, and put everything together. Place in a greased casserole dish and bake in 350* oven for 30 minutes.
Enjoy!
Beef Stroganoff
When I made this meal the first time for Mike, he looked at it and said," This doesn't look like my mom's!" Even though it wasn't the same as his mom's, he still enjoys this meal!
Here's the recipe: Beef Stroganoff
1 round steak, cut into 1/2 inch strips or cubes (I use stew meat steak)
2 cans of golden mushroom soup
2 large cans mushrooms with juice (I use only one small can, because Mike doesn't like mushrooms)
1 onion, sliced or diced thin
1 small carton of sour cream
Brown meat and onions, drain grease. Add soup and mushrooms with juice. Simmer 15-30 minutes until well heated. The longer this cooks, the more the flavors blend together. Just before serving, add sour cream and heat through. Serve on rice or noodles.
Cheesy Potato and Ham Casserole
This makes a lot of leftovers! Mike even eats this for breakfast sometimes! This is a recipe that my great-grandmother gave to us years ago! Let me just say that this is so much yummier than hamloaf! ;)
Here's the recipe: Cheesy Ham and Potatoes
5 pounds potatoes
1 ham steak, cut into bite size pieces
salt and pepper to taste
Cheese Sauce:
In skillet, heat 2/3 cup butter. Stir 3 level tablespoons flour. Let it cook a little, but not too brown. Add milk slowly, stirring constantly as it thickens, probably 3 cups. Add 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Stir as it melts and thickens a little more. Omit or add milk as you feel necessary.
Cook 5 pounds of potatoes with peeling on, cool completely. Peel and slice or dice, but not too fine. In baking dish, put the potatoes, ham pieces and salt and pepper as you like. Pour cheese sauce over all. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes in a 350* oven. The top should be nicely browned. If it browns too quickly, lay foil on top.
Notes: The more cheese you add, the cheesier the flavor!
Enjoy!
Trattoria Tortellini
I had gotten a cookbook for free at my local grocery store with a purchase of some cream cheese, so I figured I'd look through it first to see if it made sense to get it...sure enough, this is yet another cookbook that we use often! I've added chicken to this meal for some protein and it makes it even better!
Here's the recipe: Trattoria Tortellini with Chicken
18 ounces refrigerated three-cheese tortellini, uncooked
1 cup milk
4 ounces Philadelphia cream cheese, cubed
6 tablespoons shredded or grated Parmesan Cheese
1/4 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
6 ounces baby spinach leaves (I always add more, because it's good for you!)
1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
1 pound of chicken, cut into bite size pieces and cooked
Cook chicken in a skillet with some olive oil. Set aside.
Cook pasta as directed on package.
Meanwhile, cook milk and cream cheese in a large skillet on medium heat until cream cheese in melted and mixture is well blended, stirring occasionally. Stir in Parmesan and pepper. Add spinach; mix well.
Drain pasta. Add to spinach mixture with chicken and tomatoes; mix lightly.
Notes: Add 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes for an added kick!
Shepard's Pie
When Mike and I went to Ireland, we had the best food there! One of the things that Mike seemed to order a lot of was Shepard's Pie. Once we came home, I found an Irish cookbook at Borders and we use this book often! He loves and requests this meal often!
Here's the recipe: Shepard's Pie
2 medium onions, chopped/diced fine
2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
3 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 pound ground lamb
1 (6oz) tomato paste
1 cup chicken stock/chicken broth
1 heaped tablespoon flour
1/2 cup white wine
1/2 cup water
pinch of parsley, thyme (or to taste)
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon tarragon (or to taste)
3 large potatoes (enough to cover the top of your casserole dish)
1 stick of butter
3/4 cup of milk
1/2 cup cooked corn (I used a small can of corn)
1/2 cup carrots, chopped fine (I used pre shredded carrots)
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese (optional)
Saute the onion and garlic in the butter over low heat until soft. Turn up the heat and add the lamb, stirring until it is well browned. Drain off any fat and add the tomato paste, broth, and flour. Cook, stirring for one minute before adding the wine and water. Add parsley, thyme, salt, pepper, and tarragon. Simmer gently for 15 minutes. Boil and mash the potatoes. Add the butter and milk, season with salt and pepper. Put the lamb mixture in a large greased baking dish. Spoon the corn and carrots over the lamb and spread the potatoes on top so that the meat and vegetables are covered completely. Sprinkle cheese over the potatoes and bake for 30 minutes at 350*. Place under the broiler for a few minutes to brown the top and serve.
Enjoy!
Round and Round We Go!
Hey everyone!
It's been a long while since I've written anything on the blog. Sorry for the delay!
I've got several recipes, but I think that I've been doing this a little wrong. I should be posting the recipes separately, so they are easier to find and then my blog isn't super long where I might lose your interest, if I haven't within the first few sentences! So, that's what I'm going to try to do from now on. So be on the look out for separate postings for the recipes! Let me know too, if this works better or if the way I have been in the past are better!
So Mike and I spent our weekend rearranging our house. We moved furniture and pictures to the places that we wanted them to be hung, and we still need to do that, but one step at a time! The house is still taking us a little getting used to, but it's beginning to look more like "our" home. So that's nice. We even got to pull out the fountain that Mike's sister and brother in law gave us for Christmas! Now that we don't have a cat that loves fresh water from the tap, we can put it out without fear of the cats drinking from it! It's a bit odd for us to hear water running though, so we still are adjusting!
The weather has been pretty bipolar here too. Thunderstorms and sunshine, sometimes both at the same time! It's crazy!
I tried to enroll for the Fall semester at PPCC, but the school has decided that they only need one classroom per semester to accommodate hundreds of students. First come, first serve. I've been researching other schools and even one-on-one training with other professional photographers to help me in my quest to perfect my talent. I'll be discussing options with Mike later on tonight or this week. I'm not happy with that school, and haven't been in a long while, but what can you do? I just think that they need to be more flexible with the advisers of these programs to be able to fully provide for these potential customers and students.
Bootcamp has been going well. In fact, today we ran with a tire dragging behind us. It wasn't easy, but I don't think it was that difficult for me. I think that my soccer training has helped, but I also know that I'm pretty out of shape still, because I could feel it as I was running. I felt like I was hearing the theme song from Rocky in my head... =) And yes, we even did some boxing today too, so that probably didn't help any either!
Joe, the man who runs the bootcamp and other fitness programs, has asked me to take pictures of each one of his classes, and I agreed to that. So, I finally brought my camera with me last Friday, and there was hardly anyone there, so maybe next time, I'll have more people to actually take pictures of!
I'm almost finished with my picture sorting for the revamp of the site, but I still have a long way to go! I'm still looking forward to the day when I'm done with this project! It's going to be nice to feel some sort of accomplishment!
Mike's schedule has been all over the place, and he'll be working evenings this weekend...not really looking forward to that, but it's the job, unfortunately. The only thing that I can do is to try and make this week and next go by with as little frustration as possible and ease him into the next week.
I still need to compile a shopping list for this next week but I'm not sure what to prepare this coming week. I feel like I've made everything under the sun, though I know that is far from true. Perhaps I will surprise Mike and make something Thai...or something. Any suggestions?
Well, I better get to posting the recipes and start moving forward!
Until next time!
It's been a long while since I've written anything on the blog. Sorry for the delay!
I've got several recipes, but I think that I've been doing this a little wrong. I should be posting the recipes separately, so they are easier to find and then my blog isn't super long where I might lose your interest, if I haven't within the first few sentences! So, that's what I'm going to try to do from now on. So be on the look out for separate postings for the recipes! Let me know too, if this works better or if the way I have been in the past are better!
So Mike and I spent our weekend rearranging our house. We moved furniture and pictures to the places that we wanted them to be hung, and we still need to do that, but one step at a time! The house is still taking us a little getting used to, but it's beginning to look more like "our" home. So that's nice. We even got to pull out the fountain that Mike's sister and brother in law gave us for Christmas! Now that we don't have a cat that loves fresh water from the tap, we can put it out without fear of the cats drinking from it! It's a bit odd for us to hear water running though, so we still are adjusting!
The weather has been pretty bipolar here too. Thunderstorms and sunshine, sometimes both at the same time! It's crazy!
I tried to enroll for the Fall semester at PPCC, but the school has decided that they only need one classroom per semester to accommodate hundreds of students. First come, first serve. I've been researching other schools and even one-on-one training with other professional photographers to help me in my quest to perfect my talent. I'll be discussing options with Mike later on tonight or this week. I'm not happy with that school, and haven't been in a long while, but what can you do? I just think that they need to be more flexible with the advisers of these programs to be able to fully provide for these potential customers and students.
Bootcamp has been going well. In fact, today we ran with a tire dragging behind us. It wasn't easy, but I don't think it was that difficult for me. I think that my soccer training has helped, but I also know that I'm pretty out of shape still, because I could feel it as I was running. I felt like I was hearing the theme song from Rocky in my head... =) And yes, we even did some boxing today too, so that probably didn't help any either!
Joe, the man who runs the bootcamp and other fitness programs, has asked me to take pictures of each one of his classes, and I agreed to that. So, I finally brought my camera with me last Friday, and there was hardly anyone there, so maybe next time, I'll have more people to actually take pictures of!
I'm almost finished with my picture sorting for the revamp of the site, but I still have a long way to go! I'm still looking forward to the day when I'm done with this project! It's going to be nice to feel some sort of accomplishment!
Mike's schedule has been all over the place, and he'll be working evenings this weekend...not really looking forward to that, but it's the job, unfortunately. The only thing that I can do is to try and make this week and next go by with as little frustration as possible and ease him into the next week.
I still need to compile a shopping list for this next week but I'm not sure what to prepare this coming week. I feel like I've made everything under the sun, though I know that is far from true. Perhaps I will surprise Mike and make something Thai...or something. Any suggestions?
Well, I better get to posting the recipes and start moving forward!
Until next time!
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Summer Time Has Arrived!
Hello everyone!
It's officially summer! I have the sun burn to prove it! It's actually not that bad anymore, but two days after getting it was tough, but I've always believed that if you baby your burn, it lasts longer. So, I have a nice awkward tan on my upper back.
My mom and I got together earlier this week to continue our work on the dresser. I think we may be nearing the end of that project! I can't wait for it to be finished! It's tough trying to strip and refinish any piece of furniture. I still don't know why the previous owners felt that they needed to paint this dresser four different colors...and of course, the original wood was a beautiful cherry...it's sad.
I mowed our yard again this week. The weeds exploded with a growing spurt, and I think the rain that we've been getting has helped with that, but still...I just mowed it not too long ago...I wish it would stay short for a while longer. Now that it's all short again, I hope that it takes at least another week or so before I am out there again. I still need to seed, fertilize and kill the moss and weeds, but that will be a project to be done in the early morning when the wind isn't so high.
Today has been a bit of a project day as well. I cleaned the oven, the dishes and laundry. Now I am planning on finishing this blog and working on my photos. I need to finish up with sorting and fixing pictures for my website revamp, and I can't wait for that to be over! It's a lot of work!
Monday is the Fourth of July, and it's my niece's birthday! She will be a year old...where does the time go? It seems like only yesterday when she was born...and now she's a year...crazy! I can only imagine what it will be like when Mike and I have our own kids! I know now that the saying of, "Blink and you miss it," is true when it's your own kids. It is exciting and yet a little scary!
I have only made on new recipe this week. It's more of a drink/shake than anything else. It's great as a snack or something to help cool you off during this season!
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Here's the recipe: Oreo Milk Shake
4 teaspoons chocolate syrup
8 Oreo cookies, divided
1 1/2 cups milk
2 cups Vanilla ice cream
Spoon 1 teaspoon of syrup into each of 4 glasses. Roll each glass to coat bottom ad inside of glass. (I only used two tall glasses instead of four small ones). Finely chop 4 cookies; set aside.
Quarter remaining cookies and place in blender. Add milk and ice cream; blend until smooth.
Pour into prepared glasses and top with chopped cookies. Serve immediately.
This week, I am preparing to post more meals on here. I am also hoping to get more projects accomplished this week, but I haven't figured out what else to do. Maybe I will sort through our storage room and re-organize the boxes that the cats love to hide in...hmm.
Until next time!
It's officially summer! I have the sun burn to prove it! It's actually not that bad anymore, but two days after getting it was tough, but I've always believed that if you baby your burn, it lasts longer. So, I have a nice awkward tan on my upper back.
My mom and I got together earlier this week to continue our work on the dresser. I think we may be nearing the end of that project! I can't wait for it to be finished! It's tough trying to strip and refinish any piece of furniture. I still don't know why the previous owners felt that they needed to paint this dresser four different colors...and of course, the original wood was a beautiful cherry...it's sad.
I mowed our yard again this week. The weeds exploded with a growing spurt, and I think the rain that we've been getting has helped with that, but still...I just mowed it not too long ago...I wish it would stay short for a while longer. Now that it's all short again, I hope that it takes at least another week or so before I am out there again. I still need to seed, fertilize and kill the moss and weeds, but that will be a project to be done in the early morning when the wind isn't so high.
Today has been a bit of a project day as well. I cleaned the oven, the dishes and laundry. Now I am planning on finishing this blog and working on my photos. I need to finish up with sorting and fixing pictures for my website revamp, and I can't wait for that to be over! It's a lot of work!
Monday is the Fourth of July, and it's my niece's birthday! She will be a year old...where does the time go? It seems like only yesterday when she was born...and now she's a year...crazy! I can only imagine what it will be like when Mike and I have our own kids! I know now that the saying of, "Blink and you miss it," is true when it's your own kids. It is exciting and yet a little scary!
I have only made on new recipe this week. It's more of a drink/shake than anything else. It's great as a snack or something to help cool you off during this season!
Here's the recipe: Oreo Milk Shake
4 teaspoons chocolate syrup
8 Oreo cookies, divided
1 1/2 cups milk
2 cups Vanilla ice cream
Spoon 1 teaspoon of syrup into each of 4 glasses. Roll each glass to coat bottom ad inside of glass. (I only used two tall glasses instead of four small ones). Finely chop 4 cookies; set aside.
Quarter remaining cookies and place in blender. Add milk and ice cream; blend until smooth.
Pour into prepared glasses and top with chopped cookies. Serve immediately.
This week, I am preparing to post more meals on here. I am also hoping to get more projects accomplished this week, but I haven't figured out what else to do. Maybe I will sort through our storage room and re-organize the boxes that the cats love to hide in...hmm.
Until next time!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
It's Finally Summer!
Hey everyone!
It's finally summer...which means that it's time for sunburns! I got a sunburn on my upper back yesterday as I continued to work on stripping the antique dresser that I have had since I was a kid. I still cannot believe that someone painted this thing three different colors! Yesterday I finally got to see wood! It was a gorgeous cherry wood under all those layers of paint! I didn't get to finish it, but it's pretty close! I will be so happy when this project is complete!
So this week, I spent most of my time cleaning and cooking, and I actually organized my kitchen cabinets and pantry again! I can find things again! It's super nice...for me. Mike is having some trouble finding things, but he's hardly in there, so it's not too bad for him.
So let's get these recipes out of the way!
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Here's the recipe: Grilled Chicken Cordon Bleu
For the Chicken:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
4 oz thinly sliced deli ham
4 oz Swiss cheese cut into 4 blocks
Dijon mustard
Salt and Pepper to taste
For Vinaigrette:
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar (I didn't have any, so I used one tablespoon red wine vinegar)
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme (If you use dried like me, just add another teaspoon)
salt and pepper to taste
Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Brush or spray grill with oil or spray. Cut a pocket into each breast by inserting a knife blade into the wide end. Sweep the blade back and forth, cutting the opening larger, being careful not to cut through the end, top or bottom. (If this happens, just use some toothpicks to secure them closed). Wrap a slice of ham around each block of cheese and insert into pockets. Coat each breast with Dijon and salt and pepper. Grill chicken, covered for 5 minutes per side. Whisk together vinegar, Dijon, and honey in a bowl for the vinaigrette. Add oil and whisk until emulsified. Add thyme and salt and pepper. To serve, drizzle vinaigrette over chicken.
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Here's the recipe: Chicken Parmesan
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
4 eggs, beaten
1 cup panko bread crumbs (I used just bread crumbs I had at home)
1/2 pound dry spaghettini or thin spaghetti noodles
1/4 cup vegetable oil (I used olive oil)
2 cups roasted marinara sauce (I just grabbed any store bought brand that sounded good)
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan
1/2 pound fresh mozzarella, sliced
Grated Parmesan
Fresh basil sprigs (optional)
Pound chicken to 1/4 inch thick with a meat mallet; season with salt and pepper if desired. Place the flour, eggs and crumbs into three separate shallow dishes. To bread breasts, first dredge them in flour, then dip them in egg, then coat in crumbs. This can be done two hours ahead and refrigerated.
Cook noodles in a large pot of boiling salted water according to package directions. Drain and toss with the sauce. Keep warm over low heat until ready to serve.
Heat oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Saute chicken in batches if necessary, on both sides until golden, about 4 minutes. Reduce heat to medium.
Top chicken with 1/4 cup Parmesan and the mozzarella. Cover pan and cook until cheese is melted, about 3-4 minutes. Transfer to plate and serve with pasta and sauce. Garnish with Parmesan and basil if desired.
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Here's the recipe: Citrus-Herb Game Hens
2 Cornish game hens, halved and seasoned with salt and pepper (if desired) *I bought 3 birds*
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 lemon, sliced into thin rounds (I used three)
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon each of rosemary and parsley
salt and pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 450*. Halve each hen by cutting along both sides of the backbone. Remove bone and discard or save for making stock. Cut along one side of the breast bone to separate the halves. Saute the hen halves in batches, skin side down in one tablespoon of olive oil in a large oven proof non stick skillet over medium high heat until golden, (4 minutes). Turn hens over and saute for 2 minutes. Transfer hens to oven, skin side up. Roast hens, uncovered, until the instant read thermometer registers 165* at the thickets part of the breast, about 20 minutes. Place lemon slices on a plate and heat in a microwave for a minute or until hot. Combine heated lemon slices, remaining oil, garlic, rosemary and parsley in a large baking dish and season with salt and pepper. Place the roasted hens in the dish, skin side down and let rest for ten minutes, turning them every few minutes to coat with herbs and oil.
The three recipes that are on this blog actually came from a magazine that I found at the grocery store. I was pretty impressed by this company because I found many meals that I like. The chicken Parmesan ended up feeding an army when I was finished! But the best thing about this magazine is that there are no ads whatsoever and every recipe has pictures! I ended up subscribing to them, and I have never subscribed to a magazine before. I hope that I get many more great meal ideas from this company! So far, we're off to a good start!
Our yard is still mostly weeds, but some of the seeds that I threw on the yard are starting to make a small appearance. I hope that it actually grows, but as most of you know, it's tough for anything to grow here. I also found that I didn't completely kill my fuchsias. There are some blooms and new sprouts...so I'm happy about that, because I really like the look of those flowers.
As I mentioned last entry, I decided to change up the hair a little bit, and I'm glad too, with how hot it's been lately! I did take before and after pictures of my hair, and I still miss my old haircut some days, but I just need to spend some time practicing on this new look.
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Mike likes the look, but it's taking him a little bit to get used to the new look, simply because it's a lot shorter than he's ever seen me in. I've had short short hair before, and I will never go to that extreme again. I think this is as short as I will ever go. I won't grow my hair out to my hips again either. So I think that I have a good balance when it comes to my hair. I just need to go out and get a nice flat iron/straightener for my hair, because the one that I've had since I was about 17, is not a good one, therefore doesn't really work well.
So coming up is my niece's first birthday. She was born on the 4th of July, and there is going to be a celebration. I'm curious to see how it goes, and see if the gifts that I got her will be approved of. I got her two books and two dresses. I thought they were pretty adorable, but who knows, maybe I'm partial to them?
Until next time!
It's finally summer...which means that it's time for sunburns! I got a sunburn on my upper back yesterday as I continued to work on stripping the antique dresser that I have had since I was a kid. I still cannot believe that someone painted this thing three different colors! Yesterday I finally got to see wood! It was a gorgeous cherry wood under all those layers of paint! I didn't get to finish it, but it's pretty close! I will be so happy when this project is complete!
So this week, I spent most of my time cleaning and cooking, and I actually organized my kitchen cabinets and pantry again! I can find things again! It's super nice...for me. Mike is having some trouble finding things, but he's hardly in there, so it's not too bad for him.
So let's get these recipes out of the way!
Here's the recipe: Grilled Chicken Cordon Bleu
For the Chicken:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
4 oz thinly sliced deli ham
4 oz Swiss cheese cut into 4 blocks
Dijon mustard
Salt and Pepper to taste
For Vinaigrette:
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar (I didn't have any, so I used one tablespoon red wine vinegar)
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme (If you use dried like me, just add another teaspoon)
salt and pepper to taste
Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Brush or spray grill with oil or spray. Cut a pocket into each breast by inserting a knife blade into the wide end. Sweep the blade back and forth, cutting the opening larger, being careful not to cut through the end, top or bottom. (If this happens, just use some toothpicks to secure them closed). Wrap a slice of ham around each block of cheese and insert into pockets. Coat each breast with Dijon and salt and pepper. Grill chicken, covered for 5 minutes per side. Whisk together vinegar, Dijon, and honey in a bowl for the vinaigrette. Add oil and whisk until emulsified. Add thyme and salt and pepper. To serve, drizzle vinaigrette over chicken.
Here's the recipe: Chicken Parmesan
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
4 eggs, beaten
1 cup panko bread crumbs (I used just bread crumbs I had at home)
1/2 pound dry spaghettini or thin spaghetti noodles
1/4 cup vegetable oil (I used olive oil)
2 cups roasted marinara sauce (I just grabbed any store bought brand that sounded good)
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan
1/2 pound fresh mozzarella, sliced
Grated Parmesan
Fresh basil sprigs (optional)
Pound chicken to 1/4 inch thick with a meat mallet; season with salt and pepper if desired. Place the flour, eggs and crumbs into three separate shallow dishes. To bread breasts, first dredge them in flour, then dip them in egg, then coat in crumbs. This can be done two hours ahead and refrigerated.
Cook noodles in a large pot of boiling salted water according to package directions. Drain and toss with the sauce. Keep warm over low heat until ready to serve.
Heat oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Saute chicken in batches if necessary, on both sides until golden, about 4 minutes. Reduce heat to medium.
Top chicken with 1/4 cup Parmesan and the mozzarella. Cover pan and cook until cheese is melted, about 3-4 minutes. Transfer to plate and serve with pasta and sauce. Garnish with Parmesan and basil if desired.
Here's the recipe: Citrus-Herb Game Hens
2 Cornish game hens, halved and seasoned with salt and pepper (if desired) *I bought 3 birds*
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 lemon, sliced into thin rounds (I used three)
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon each of rosemary and parsley
salt and pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 450*. Halve each hen by cutting along both sides of the backbone. Remove bone and discard or save for making stock. Cut along one side of the breast bone to separate the halves. Saute the hen halves in batches, skin side down in one tablespoon of olive oil in a large oven proof non stick skillet over medium high heat until golden, (4 minutes). Turn hens over and saute for 2 minutes. Transfer hens to oven, skin side up. Roast hens, uncovered, until the instant read thermometer registers 165* at the thickets part of the breast, about 20 minutes. Place lemon slices on a plate and heat in a microwave for a minute or until hot. Combine heated lemon slices, remaining oil, garlic, rosemary and parsley in a large baking dish and season with salt and pepper. Place the roasted hens in the dish, skin side down and let rest for ten minutes, turning them every few minutes to coat with herbs and oil.
The three recipes that are on this blog actually came from a magazine that I found at the grocery store. I was pretty impressed by this company because I found many meals that I like. The chicken Parmesan ended up feeding an army when I was finished! But the best thing about this magazine is that there are no ads whatsoever and every recipe has pictures! I ended up subscribing to them, and I have never subscribed to a magazine before. I hope that I get many more great meal ideas from this company! So far, we're off to a good start!
Our yard is still mostly weeds, but some of the seeds that I threw on the yard are starting to make a small appearance. I hope that it actually grows, but as most of you know, it's tough for anything to grow here. I also found that I didn't completely kill my fuchsias. There are some blooms and new sprouts...so I'm happy about that, because I really like the look of those flowers.
As I mentioned last entry, I decided to change up the hair a little bit, and I'm glad too, with how hot it's been lately! I did take before and after pictures of my hair, and I still miss my old haircut some days, but I just need to spend some time practicing on this new look.
Mike likes the look, but it's taking him a little bit to get used to the new look, simply because it's a lot shorter than he's ever seen me in. I've had short short hair before, and I will never go to that extreme again. I think this is as short as I will ever go. I won't grow my hair out to my hips again either. So I think that I have a good balance when it comes to my hair. I just need to go out and get a nice flat iron/straightener for my hair, because the one that I've had since I was about 17, is not a good one, therefore doesn't really work well.
So coming up is my niece's first birthday. She was born on the 4th of July, and there is going to be a celebration. I'm curious to see how it goes, and see if the gifts that I got her will be approved of. I got her two books and two dresses. I thought they were pretty adorable, but who knows, maybe I'm partial to them?
Until next time!
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