Hello Everyone!
Hope that all is well with my table mates. Thanks for the inquiries and well wishes for my mom. She is out of the hospital (she came home yesterday evening) and doing well except for some lingering post-op pain.
Sorry to hear that you are under the weather, kellertur. It seems as thought its the season for those pesky head colds 
. Hang in there. Oh...Grey's Anatomy is one of my favorite shows, also. Its nice to hear that you know Patrick Dempsey and that he is a nice guy because, from what you see on those news magazines and tabloid magazines, most celebrities are full of themselves (have massive egos). Its good to hear that he is like a regular guy.
Mkolmar...glad that you are feeling better! I've never had pineapple-raisin-carrot slaw but it sounds yummy.
Ohara...that all is well. Your sausage stew soundy yummy.
Dinner for me tonight was grilled cheese with tomato soup.
You all have a great night 
Hi everyone! Just a quick check-in. I wanted to post about something but I don't feel like ranting right now so I'll keep it short and sweet. 
Tonight I took the kids out to Red Robin for dinner. I had a burger but didn't even eat 1/2 of it. Just not my thing right now. My kids had cheese pizza. Yep, I took them to a burger joint to go and order pizza. 
They loved it though so that's what matters.
Hope you all have a fabulous night. When your head hits that pillow to dream my wish is you will burn at least 1,000 calories in slumber. If I wake up and my thighs are smaller I'll know my wish came true.
Hey Everyone!
Hope that everyone is doing well. Just wanted to check in with my tablemates. I heard back from my town government regarding becoming licensed. The steps seem to be very tedious and involved. They said that I have to submit a business plan, amongst other things. Being as though I do not plan to remain in this neighborhood, because I despise it, I think that I may decide to remain a hobbyist and just continue donating baked goods. I don't see the sense in doing all that is necessary to become legal when I don't plan to stay here. I am also the first to admit that I am much more a baker than a cake artist. My decorating skills are just mediocre. Sooo....what have I decided to do with myself? I am going to go back to school this fall, complete my degree (I am a diploma RN) and then go to law school. I want to become a civil rights attorney. I know how powerless that people can feel when their rights as a US citizen are being violated and they are up against the US government. As much as I love nursing....I am convinced that as a civil rights attorney, I could help the most people and do the most good.
Dinner for me was mohagany chicken wings (wings with soy sauce, honey, molasses, ginger, and garlic), saffron rice, and brussle sprouts.
Y'all have great day.
Lita- I'm so glad that you are going for what you want. Peoples right are being violated like crazy so it's good to know that people that care are willing to stick up for them.
Tonight was freezer section BBQ chicken pizza. I picked the chicken off of mine and threw it onto DH's pizza instead. Kids had beef hot dogs and macaroni and cheese. I made pumpkin eggnog pie for dessert for DH and my BIL. I have pumpkin spice bread that I just pulled out of the oven for tomorrow also.
Made up 13 more pie crust doughs and put 10 of them in the freezer. I'll be making a few crispy crumb topped apple pies for tomorrow. I have some apples that need used up.
Not much else going on here. Hope you all have a good night and a great tomorrow.
Hello everyone,
Long time no see. Things are just so busy around here with 4 kids...lol. The baby is allergic to pork but tests that she isn't so we're trying to get that figured out.
Tonight we had Burger King.
Hi Everyone!
Hope that all is well with my tablemates. Nice to meet you butterflyjuju I hope that everything works out well with your little one.
Mkolmar...you're a busy woman! 13 pie crusts 
. The pumpkin eggnog pie sounds super YUM! I think I am going to try that
I am a happy camper today....I just found out that my Holiday job has turned permanent 
. I love the company and I enjoy the people that I work with...and thats 90% of the battle.
Hope that all is well with you, Sparklepop, Ohara, Mightydragon, and Kay.
Dinner last night was linguini with lemon-artichoke pasta sauce.
Y'all have a great day!
Last night we had taters au gratin casserole.
Nice to meet you Butterflyjuju. mmmmmmm tators au gratin sounds delish!
Lita, linguini with lemon artichoke sauce sounds fabulous too! I'm glad to hear that your mom is doing better. And YEA!!!! for you. You really seemed to enjoy your job and I'm glad it is now permanent!
Mkolmar, 13 pie shells? for you or for work? That is a lot of pie shells.
I'm afraid that my thighs definately aren't any thinner after your lovely wishes. I guess that isn't going to happen until sometime after school is done. Oh well, as long as I don't have to go buy new pants, I'll be happy.
Still not doing as well on my practicals as I want to be. This week our practical will be making a baguette. I'm not even going to speculate on how that may go. I won't have much time to practice this week. We were also assigned a huge project that is due in March. It acutally sounds like a lot of fun, but it will also require a lot of time.
Well, I have to get back to work. I've missed visiting with you guys. Ohara, Sparkle, kellertur, I hope you all are well.
Just a quick pop in. Life is crazy right now....ok, most of the time. I am going to be gone for a week or so. I am going on my annual girls trip. There are 4 of us and we have done this for 10 years now.
We are going to Mexico for the week. My best friend is coming in to Ohio today. She lives in Park City, Utah. I can't wait to pick her up from the airport this afternoon.
I will give more details when I get back.
Dinners...
crock pot roast recipe, new one, DH and I both loved it! I will be making this recipe again. We had roast, gravy, mashed potatoes, peas and carrots and dinner rolls
Chicken fajitas, with rice and beans
Tater tot casserole with peas
Tonight will be chicken and yellow rice.
juju it's great to hear from you. I'm sure you are one busy momma!
Lita congratulations on the job becoming permanent. I love the idea of you going to law school. A friend of ours went back to school to become a lawyer. He loves law school. It's lots of work but he is enjoying it all. Keep us posted!
Mightydragon I can not imagine how you are working as a doctor and going to school. You are awesome.
I must say I was glad to hear that your thighs didn't get smaller either....I was wondering if it was just me
mkolmar your pumpkin bread sounds good. What have you decided to cook with the truffles? Keep us posted.
kellertur I hope you are feeling better.
Hugs to you all. Keep well
Welcome back JUJU. Hope everything is going well with the family and you find out from the testing of your little girl what she's allergic to.
Ohara-Have a great time! I love hearing about you girl trips. How much fun! You deserve a little R&R
My DH is being a big 
right now. Nothing I do is right. I made 2 crunchy topped apple pies and took them to my kids school for the teachers. I came home and made him one. The topping is crunchy but I had too much butter in it and it kind of melted some so it's more like a crunchy glaze. He just got done yelling at me over the phone about it. He's never been one to care about something like that. He's been working so hard and he's such a grouch lately. I can't believe he just yelled at me over pie! Told me that the good stuff always go to other people and he gets stuck with the screw ups. UGGG! He's so frustrating! It's been like this for over 2 weeks. Oh, He's not getting any pie either. I'm taking it to the gym to give to someone. If he's going to complain about it, he's not getting any of it.
mklomar--my DH did that the other day to the kids because they came in from the snow and were getting snow on the floor. Hello it mops right up.
We had Pizza Hut. No one feels very good today.
Hey Ladies,
Hope that all is well with my tablemates . Thanks for all the congrats and well wishes...I'm pretty excited about working again and going back to school . I love to learn. Ohara....you are soooo lucky to be going on a vacation! LORD KNOWS I need one. Its good that you have a good bunch of friends to travel with. I know that you all are going to have a fabulous time I can't wait to hear about your trip when you return. Your din dins sound yummy, also!
Mightydragon....keep the faith and don't let anything rattle your confidence. You made it through medical school...you can make it through culinary school (not saying that it will be easy but I know that you can do it). Just practice, practice, practice whenever you can. All of your tablemates are pulling for you
Mkolmar...sorry to hear that your man is being mean to you. Maybe he was just having a bad day at work and was projecting on you. I'm sure he appreciates all you do for him and all the yummy foods you prepare.
JuJu...hope that all is well with your family. Your casserole sounds yummy.
Kellertur and Sparkle...hope that you are well.
Dinner was a steak panini.
Bless your heart mkolmar! I'm afraid if my DH acted like that, he'd be fixing his own food for awhile, just to help remind him. I'd say just blow it off, but that would be a dumb thing to say because it is almost impossible to do. I hope that whatever is causing him to act that way is resolved soon.
Ohara, I am so jealous! Mexico sounds so nice and warm and sunny. I hope you have a great time!
Lita, good for you going back to school.
It is going to be another freezer dive dinner tonight. School is going well. I actually did pretty well on my baguette. Unfortunately, the dog thought she might like a taste and ended up eating the whole loaf! 
She is such a little Stinker Belle! We never actually catch her in the act, but find the aftermath on the floor. Since she is the only one of our critters that can reach the counter, We just assume it was her. I can't get mad at her though. She will be 14 yrs old this month and in some ways, I'm glad she can still do most of her naughty tricks. It means she is in good physical health. I'd like her to be around for a little while longer.
Hope you all have a great night/week!
Hi table mates!
Lita - I meant to write this earlier but congrats on the job. I know you loved working there. I'm really happy for you! Good things come to good people.
Speaking of good people I wonder if Ohara has a kick butt tan yet? 
Keep up the good work Mightydragon. I love baguettes. MMMMM I can feel the pounds just spreading to my butt and thighs just thinking about it.
Well tonight we have a snow storm the weather men are saying about 6 - 9 inches. Well see but right now we do have a pretty decent amount, nothing like a lot of other areas in the US though.
For dinner I made Italian breaded chicken breast that was pan fried first to get it crispy then baked the rest of the way. Carrots that were cooked but yet still somewhat crisp with a little butter and honey glaze, sliced peaches, rice and a hot baguette.
Today is my MIL birthday but the weather squashed our plans. I planned on making her dinner. It was going to be Brie cheese with dried cranberries baked in puff pastry served with specialty crackers, salad served with dried cranberries, blue cheese crumbles, sliced apple bits, and slivered almonds with a raspberry dressing with a side of hot bread and butter. Then would be a portabella mushroom drizzled in olive oil and topped with sun dried tomatoes, herbs and then a layer of Italian cheese to be baked. I made her an Italian cheesecake also. My MIL doesn't eat meat or fish so these are a few items I knew she would like. Go figure the roads got nasty so these plans were dropped fast. Some other time maybe.
You all have a fabulous night!
Hey Ladies!
Hope that all is well with my tablemates! Thanks for the congrats and well wishes Hope that everyone is surviving and thriving in all this snow (if you are in Northeastern USA). We just got 28 inches on Saturday and its snowing again. They are saying 18-24 more . All I'm gonna say is I'm soooo ready for spring 
.
Congrats on doing well on your baguette, mightydragon! Keep up the good work. Its a shame you didn't get to taste it....doggies can be little stinkers...I know because I have one I expect to hear more good things about your culinary training!
Mkolmar... Your dinner sounds fabulous! Sorry that you had to cancel it. I'm sure your MIL would have loved it.
Me...I'm a little stressed. My mother had to go back into surgery because she has a bowel obstruction. She is having a difficult post-op course. It's so weird seeing her so weak and fragile. She has really hurt me and we have a difficult, strained relationship but I don't like seeing her this way. I guess there is no bottom to the depths and complexities of mother-daughter relationships.
Dinner for me last night was mushroom stroganoff.
You all have a fantastic day
Wow that's a lot of snow.
Last night we had grilled cheese and cheese fries.
Life's been a bit hectic over the last few weeks. 2 of my kids have been in for day surgery in 2 weeks, just little things that needed to get done before they start back at Uni. Naturally it involves me dishing up a lot of sympathy and running to the shop for special favourite foods 
aren't kids con-artists?
There's a local cake dec competition and I'm trying to get a cake sorted for that but it's been so wet and humid here nothing is drying, at least the dams are getting some much needed water. I iced a dummy cake in pettinice and 2 days later it was as soft as that day I'd iced it. Worse still I have a topsy turvey cake to make with a gumpaste shoe to make in a couple of weeks. Thought I'd make the shoe early but it just keeps slowly sinking into a very peculiar shape definitely not a "normal" shoe.
I just checked back to my last post and saw a couple of questions about pavlova and sparkling shiraz. Sparkling shiraz is an Oz thing it's a made with shiraz grapes (red) and when served cold it is lovely to drink on a warm day. Oh and it's good quality stuff too 
when you all come over here I'll buy a bottle (or 2,3 ....). Pavlova, wow can't believe you don't know this one. It's like a big crispy meringue with a marshmallow centre and on the top you put fresh whipped cream with fresh fruit like kiwi fruit, strawberries (or any berries) passionfruit. Of course your eating fruit so it has to be good for your right http://www.joyofbaking.com/Pavlova
Well tonight we had pan fried salmon with teriayki sauce, mashed potatoes, mashed pumpkin, broccoli, carrots and snow peas (my son just had his wisdom teeth removed hence all the mash but he still couldn't eat much of it).
Well got to go change the ice in his ice "helmet".
Hope every one is well, will catch up with the reading soon.
Hey Ladies,
Hope that all is well! Good to have you back, Sparklepop! You too, Juju! It sounds like you've been busy. Thanks for the breakdown on pavlova and shiraz...they sound delish! So does your din din.
Dinner for me was lemon and garlic breaded chicken breast with tomato-mozzarella bruchetta.
Y'all have a great day!
why hellloooooo everyone!
Sparkle- Geesh, those kids are still keeping you busy! Hope it's less humid there soon.
Lita-how is your mom doing?
Tonight I made dinner for my MIL and DH's birthday's . I started the meal off with baked brie in puff pastry served with wheat and gorgonzola crackers. Sliced pineapple was served next. Then the main meal which was large portabella mushrooms topped with seasoning-sun dried tomoato chopped and Italian cheese then it was baked, rutabaga mash, red skinned seasoned potatoes, sauted green bell pepper with onion, a beef tenderloin rolade that was stuffed with cooked spinach, feta cheese, smoked maple bacon and salt/pepper. I then had a sauce made with wine to pare with it, although I like it better without the sauce. Warm baguettes where sliced up also. Dessert was a black forest cake from scratch my MIL made. It was very good.
I feel like a bloated cow right now.
Hey Everyone!
Hope that all is well with you all. Thanks for asking about my mom, mkolmar. She doing a lot better and is scheduled to come home from the hospital today. Your dinner sounds divine! Your are very creative. I'm sure your MIL loved it and felt very special on her birthday
Dinner for me last night was mozzarella filled, parmesean ebelskivers with red sauce. Before that it was pasta amatriciana. The day before that was sun-dried tomato-spinach fritatta.
Hope that all is well with Mightydragon, Kay, Ohara, Sparkle, and Juju. I can't wait to hear about your trip to Mexico, Ohara.
Y'all have a great day!
Hi Everyone!
Finally got a chance to catch on on everyone. Hope you all are well. It certaily sounds like you all have been eating well. Everyone's food sounds so delicious!
Lita, I'm glad to hear that your mom is doing better
Sparkle, I hope everyone is healing quickly at your house.
mkolmar you can prepare a birthday dinner for me anytime! It sounds fabulous!
Mid-terms are this week, so I've been studying and practicing my butt off and staying up way to late doing it. I seriously could use a nap and it is only 8 AM.
You guys have a fabulous day!
Good luck with mid-terms!
Glad your mom is doing better Lita. Was she able to come home after all?
Dinner tonight was Italian breaded chicken, seasoned green beans, spaghetti with sauce and French bread. (the shop was out of Italian bread) DH had stuffed chicken with mushrooms, Italian cheese and sun dried tomato pesto that was Italian breaded instead.
Good night everyone, have to help the kids with their school work.
Good Luck on your mid-terms, mightydragon! I'm sure you'll do great . I bet your family is loving you being in culinary school....all those tasty homework assignments you have to make .
Thanks for asking about my mom. She came home from the hospital yesterday but is still having a lot of pain. They did a bowel resection and she is trying to get used to solid foods again but its not going too smoothly. She had the same type of surgery in the past and stated that it wasn't as difficult recovering but she has to realize that she is almost 62 years old now. All I can do is be there for her and keep an eye on her for any complications while she heals. I really don't like seeing her like this
Your dinner sounds awesome, mkolmar. I'm with mightydragon...you can prepare my birthday dinner anytime because it sounds fabulous
Dinner for me tonight was a quick fix of chicken breast sauteed in garlic and spinach sauteed in olive oil with a pat of butter.
Y'all have a great night!
Well 2 out of 4 kids are sick. All 4 were suppose to go stay a night at granny and papaws so DH and I could finally spend some time together alone. Just wanted to watch a movie at home in peace. Well, DH ended up working today and tonight so I guess the kids picked a good time to be sick.
Don't laugh but I'll post it here. I've been taking Krav Maga classes. Today was the 6th class but I've only been to 4 so far. I need a lot more classes. If you go to www.toledodefense.com click on women's program there is a short video of today's defense class. Keep in mind we are beginners and seriously just started this not too long ago. We were suppose to act like we were getting money out of an ATM when someone comes up asking for our money and trying to mug us. It was required to yell loud at first to draw attention to those in the area of what's happening and then the front kick to get as much distance between us and the attacker. After that we could do what we wanted. I'm the one in the black tank top.
Tonight I had a grilled chicken wrap from Wendy's *ugggg, hate fast food, but that's one of their healthier items.*
Hello table family. I am back from my girls trip. Have been for several days, but am slammed with getting back in the groove and caught up!
The little boys and myself are all sick. Which isn't helping to get back in the groove. The weather here has sucked so my DD only went to school 1 day in the last 2 weeks.
Here's the really good part....
Mexico was WONDERFUL!!! it was sunny and 80+ all 7 days. The weather couldn't have been better. We had rain twice...both at night.
We ate great food at little hole in the wall restaurant's back in neighborhoods. Cheap and wonderful. I am thankful that I do not make guacamole that tastes that good. I know the 3 pounds that I gained has to be from chips and guacamole. Well worth it though! Each evening we would go to this little place that makes empanada's to order. Not sure if the apple or the quince was my favorite.
The house we rented was as nice in person as in the pictures. It was such a great trip, and we loved the island so much I am quite sure that we will go back next year.
Now for the newer ones at the table, you may or may not know that my husband has been unemployed for the last 15 months. It has been a struggle emotionally more so than financially. (not that we didn't need the money, but we have done ok) now with that said......
WE HAVE A JOB!!!!!!
What a relief. So with that said...lots of changes here.
I have to run...I hear the baby up. I hope you all are well...((((HUGS))))
WOO-HOO! Congrats Ohara on DH getting a job, that's fantastic. I'm so excited to read this. You have a wonderful family, glad you had a great trip also. We missed you at the table.
Last night was Shepards pie. I made it from scratch using Lamb. I'm not a huge Lamb fan but DH likes it a lot. I made the crust then put the cut thin/cubed roasted lamb on top. On top of that cooked sliced carrots and peas covered in red skinned garlic smashed potatoes. I then put a layer of cheddar cheese over it and baked it till cheese melted. I know cheese is not generally used in the traditional recipe, but he likes it with melted cheese. That's pretty much it, no side dishes or anything. I figured almost everything was in the shepards pie.
2 of my kids are getting over being sick and they decided to share their germs with me. Oh joy.
Hey Ladies,
Hope that all is well with my table mates! I'm happy to hear that you had an awesome time on your trip, Ohara...I love empanadas . Congrats on your hubby getting a job. I know that a huge weight has been lifted from both your shoulders. Hopefully the recession is over.
Sorry to hear that your family was under the weather, mkolmar . Hopefully the weather will break sooner rather than later. Your shepard's pie sound yummy. I never thought to try making it with lamb. I think I'll have to try that . I haven't had shepard's pie in a LONG time. Wow...I think that its been since my grandmother was alive and she has been deceased for almost 19 years.
Dinner for me was risotto. Last night was homemade pepperoni pizza.
Y'all have a great night!
Tonight was cajun home fries with turkey ham cubed mixed in. Topped that with 2 fried eggs and then smoked cheddar cheese melted on top of that. The kids had pancakes, turkey ham, bacon and eggs.
I had a salad with craisins, almonds, a little blue cheese crumbles and a tiny bit of cut bacon.
Hope all is well with everyone!
mkolmar did I tell you I was up for adoption and I think I'd fit in really well with your family, especially at dinner time, yummo. I'm pretty neat (most of the time) don't dribble and am toilet trained . Will you adopt me pleeeaassee!!!!
Ohara 
wonderful news so glad that DH has a job. I know how hard it is emotionaly without one. Been there done that and didn't like it. Just feel like doing a happy dance for you.
Lita 62 isn't that old nowadays, it will take time and as they say "time heals all wounds" . Sending good thoughts your way.
mightdragon I'm sure you've done well in your mid terms and probably catching up on some much needed sleep by now.
Well my kids are all better and about to go back to Uni this week. Tonight we had a great thunderstorm and everything is nice and cool at the moment. Last night we went to the local pub to see a friend who was the entertainment for the night. We got some friends together and had some fun. I had kangaroo on a bed of leek and garlic mash with skewered garlic prawns. Kangaroo is really nice is cooked correctly, which thankfully this was.
Once again I've been busy with cakes and put a cake into the local show, sadly it was the only one but I was happy in total I won $60 being best in show (and only) and 1st prize. Sadly it seems people can't really to bothered with the smaller competitions ony the large ones. Also done a couple of cakes for customers and now thankfully have a break for a few weeks. Need to clean the house 
.
Tonight we had a baked lamb dinner with potatoes, sweet potato, pumpkin, peas and carrots with a glass of wine or 2 I feel very happy.
Have a great week everyone.
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%