Upside Down Cats

It's a catch-up on everything...sleep, chores and recreation weekend! I've had a chance to plan our menus for the week ahead as usual. Here's a taste of what I'll be cooking...

 

Ginger-Orange-Honey Cashew Chicken Stirfry w/ Broccoli over Steamed White Rice

Gnocchi Topped w/ Homemade Tomato Sauce w/ Sausage & Mixed Greens Salad w/ Marinated Mozzarella

Chicken-Fried Chicken w/ Creamy Gravy, Homemade Bacon-Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese & Sweet Corn

Bacon-Swiss Cheese Pub Burgers, Onion Rings & Veggie Platter w/ Ranch Dip

Meal-Sized Salad w/ Seafood, Cheese & Bacon & Garlic-Herb Rolls

Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Cheesy Chipotle Potatoes & Broccoli Slaw

Chicken-Apple Sausage Skillet w/ Poached Eggs, Creamy Gravy & Cheddar Cheese

Grilled American Cheese Sandwiches on Whole Wheat Bread, Cross-Cut French Fries & Mixed Greens Salad

Bacon, Hash Brown & Cheese Omlettes & Whole Wheat Toast

Chicken Kiev, Steamed White Rice & Oven Roasted Cauliflower, Broccoli & Carrot Medley w/ Olive Oil & Garlic

 

Another week's eating planned out. Now on to the rest of my to-dos!

Last week my blog got away from me! I made a menu in advance, as usual, but I never got around to posting it here. Oh well, I'll start fresh by sharing some of what I'll be cooking this week... I am hoping I can keep a bit more to schedule this week!

 

Breaded Chicken Sandwiches w/ Bacon & Bleu Cheese, French Fries & Assorted Raw Vegetable Platter w/ Ranch Dip

Jambalaya Redux (plenty left over from last night to enjoy again!!), Cornbread & Mixed Greens Salad w/ Cajun Dressing

Chipotle Lime Marinated, Pan-Seared Sirloin Steak, Buttered Egg Noodles & Oven-Roasted Broccoli, Cauliflower, Corn & Carrot Medley w/ Garlic & Olive Oil

Bacon-Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese & Mixed Greens Salad

Crab Cakes & Shrimp Platter, Cornbread & Creamy Coleslaw

Gyros & Scrambled Eggs Stuffed in Pita Pockets & Hash Brown Potatoes

Steak Quesadillas & Tortilla Chips w/ Chorizo Refried Beans & Salsa

Seafood Benedict over English Muffins & Fresh Fruit

 

I sure am looking forward to the arrival of Autumnal weather as we slide into the oh-so-marvelous month of October!

Yesterday I baked bread...

Due to a "Kitchenaid malfunction" the process started out on a messy note, but the end result was sheer carbohydrate heaven!

I really think the expression should be "The best thing since unsliced bread!"





Grandma's recipe rocks!

Grandma Bessie baked this bread every Saturday when I was growing up. To taste it is to taste a memory.

This is a very old recipe that calls for such things as "an egg-sized pat of butter." I think it was written before butter came wrapped in convenient 1/4 lb. sticks! It doesn't mention anything about a mixer or dough hook either... Regardless, this recipe translates very nicely into the 21st century!

I wouldn't trade the yellowed newspaper clipping on which it was originally printed, or the copy transcribed in my mom's hand for anything.They are priceless treasures to me!

It's rainy and cool today. This kind of weather puts me in the mood to hunker down and cook. First step, plan the menu for the week in advance. Here's a peek of meals to come...

 

Garlic Herb Whole Roast Chicken, Stuffing & Sweet Corn

Shrimp Oregano, Fettucini Alfredo & Spring Mix Salad w/ Marinated Mozzarella

Cream of Chicken Soup & Homemade White Bread (Grandma's Recipe)

Kielbasa, Macaroni & Cheese & Spring Mix Salad

Chicken Pot Pie

Eggs in a Homemade White Bread Frame, Chicken-Apple Sausages & Orange Juice

Fish Sandwiches, French Fries & Creamy Coleslaw

Bacon, Egg & Cheese English Muffin Sandwiches, Hash Brown Potatoes & Fresh Fruit

Enchiladas, Tortilla Chips, Refried Beans & Spring Mix Salad

 

Ok, time to get busy in the kitchen!

I have a confession to make.

I've been unfaithful.

Yep, two-timing even.

Continue reading "I Am A Rich Woman" »

I want to apologize for my lack of posting recently. There's a good reason and I'll tell you all about it very soon. Intrigued?

Anyway, to get to the subject at hand... No matter how distracted I am, we've still got to eat, so here's a sampling of the meals I've planned in advance for the week ahead...

 

Homemade Beef Barley Soup & Bacon, Lettuce & Tomato Sandwiches on Whole Wheat Bread

Breaded Chicken Breast Sandwiches w/ Bacon, White Cheddar Cheese & Ranch Dressing, Sweet Potato Fries & Fresh-Picked Sweet Corn (Thanks Dad!)

Fettucini Alfredo & Spring Mix Salad w/ Marinated Mozzarella

Chicken Fajitas

Pita Pockets Stuffed w/ Scrambled Eggs, Cheese & Bacon, Hash Brown Potatoes & Fresh Fruit

 

I promise to return to my regularly scheduled blogging soon with lots to tell you!

I'm a day late with my menu - I'll blame it on the holiday! Now that I'm back on a (somewhat) normal schedule, however, it's time to post the menus I've planned in advance for the week ahead. Here's some of the trouble I'll be cooking up...

 

Chili-Lime Marinated Skirt Steak, Buttered Egg Noodles & Mixed Greens Salad

Chicken Breasts Roasted w/ Garlic, Olive Oil & White Wine, Angel Hair Pasta w/ Marinara Sauce & Marinated Broccoli, Carrot & Corn Salad

Steak Taco Salad

Thai Chicken & Rice Noodles w/ Broccoli

Grilled Swiss & American Cheese Sandwiches on Whole Wheat Bread, French Fries & Mixed Greens Salad

Italian Breakfast Skillet w/ Diced Potatoes, Scrambled Eggs, Sausage & Italian Cheese Blend & Bagels w/ Artichoke & Garlic Cream Cheese

 

That about does it for the week. It sure is a challenge to keep the kitchen cool, cooking as much as I do - especially since we're having the hottest days of the Summer right now! Soon I'll be thinking about some of my favorite Autumn dishes like hearty soups and stews! Ahh...Autumn!

A couple weeks ago I was required to attend a two hour training at a resource center for child care professionals. This "mandatory meeting" was announced in an email that indicated the training was being held once on Friday evening and again on Saturday morning - our choice which to attend.

Since I didn't fancy a late Friday meeting I opted to attend bright and early on Saturday.

And so did ten other ladies. I arrived to find a line formed outside the center's locked door...

Continue reading "Wasted Time" »

On a daily basis I attempt to empower my daycare children by teaching them to be assertive, stand up for themselves and express their feelings. Today that philosophy sent Scott and I into fits of laughter...

I have three-year-old brother - sister twins in my home daycare. In one of the standard, run-of-the-mill, "Mine!! No, Mine!!" scenarios, the twins were tug-or-warring with a toy they both fancied at the same moment. Suddenly the sister (who had the toy first) had enough of the verbal confrontation and made it physical, pushing her brother in the chest.

Needless to say, brother resented the shove, tattling, "Gina, Sissy pushed me!" My reply, intended to encourage him to confront the affront directly with the aggressor was, "Well, tell her how it made you feel."

The next thing we heard as he attempted to comply was, "How it made you feel!"

I can't say he didn't follow my instruction...I just didn't expect such a literal execution!

It's time to start a new week, so here's the menu I've planned in advance...

 

Veal Parmesan, Buttered Egg Noodles & Spring Mix Salad

Barbecue Chicken Breast Sandwiches, French Fries & Ramen Noodle Coleslaw

Shrimp Caesar Salad & Grilled Garlic Bread

Homemade Cheese Pizza & Assorted Raw Vegetable Platter w/ Italian Ranch Dip

Broiled Tilapia Topped w/ Hollandaise & Crab, Rice Pilaf w/ Toasted Slivered Almonds & Oven Roasted Broccoli w/ Olive Oil & Garlic

Seafood, Eggs, Cheese & Bacon "Boats," Hash Brown Potatoes & Fresh Fruit

Cheddar-Topped Hamburgers Served on Pretzel Bread Buns, Onion Rings & Marinated Broccoli, Carrot & Corn Salad

Pancakes, Brown Sugar Pork Sausage Links & Orange Juice

...And to bring to the Labor Day picnic, a generous amount of German Potato Salad, recipe courtesy of my mom's mind, where all her best recipes are stored!

 

I'm really looking forward to the long weekend which lies ahead. It looks like I need to plan another brunch for Monday morning since we'll have the day off!