Hola Amigos!!

An email starts the ball rolling. We find a date, we pick a place and we wait for the day to come. This is how my "book club" gets together 2-4 times a year. Our readings are very intellectually challenging, or not. We used to read books. We used to work together 8-5, Monday through Friday. Neither of those things happen anymore, but what remains is our friendship. Our get togethers usually follow the same agenda. Food. Drink. Current events and big announcements. Hopes. Dreams. Problems shared, and solved. Celebrations and support. Hugs and promises to not wait so long next time. We've been through weddings, divorces, births, adoptions, graduations, job changes and death. Thank you my dear friends. Our visits are never long or often enough and they make my heart happy. Thursday we had the opportunity to send our dear Suz off to becoming a Mrs. Blessings to the happy couple and here's the recipe from our toast.

Beer Margaritas
1 can frozen limeade
1/2 (limeade can) tequila
1/2 (limeade can) triple sec
1 can beer
sprite
ice
Mix first 3 ingredients well. Add beer. Fill remainder of pitcher with sprite. Serve over ice.
(the only rule is when you make this, think of me. When I make it, I always think of my friend Shell, because she gave me the recipe not because she drinks these constantly...).

Chicken Fried

Yep, I love that song (Zac Brown Band). It can get the whole family dancing along. I also like my chicken fried. Oven fried that is...here's what I did with the final 10 lbs of $.39 chicken.

Oven Fried Chicken

10 lbs chicken hind quarters (I removed the skin much to Paperman's dismay)

2 cups dried bread crumbs
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
cookies all purpose seasoning
pepper

1 egg
2 cups milk

3T butter, melted

dip chicken pieces in milk and egg mixture
roll in bread crumbs, place on greased cookie sheet. Drizzle with butter. Bake 375 degrees until done. This gives us enough for supper tomorrow, with leftovers and a meal to freeze, with leftovers.

Swimming naked

It’s only when the tide goes out that you learn who’s been swimming naked.Warren Buffet

And the tide is on it's way out. I have posted about this blog previously, but www.trendydollar.com has some great reading. I won't copy anymore of her writing, but this quote and a movie literally sucked me in tonight "The Pursuit of Happyness" (this is really the way they spelled happiness...) really put things in perspective. Today was one of "those" days. The baskets of (clean) laundry, my sore neck, my captive cell phone, my tight jeans, the baby who didn't want to go to sleep and the messy entryway were all wearing on me, and my patience. I was a grump, then as Paperman was going to sleep and flipping through the channels one last time, I noticed the movie. Just reading the description and the 30 seconds he kept it on that channel made me know, I was staying up until midnight. All of the sudden, none of MY problems were so bad. I also owe MY babies an apology for being impatient at bedtime. In the movie he slept holding his son on the floor of a subway station bathroom, but still didn't lose HIS patience. Goodness, Heather. Every once in a while I need that eye opener. I got mine.

Where did February Go??

I'm sure I'm not the only asking that question! I do notice I didn't chronicle anything here to figure out what how we spent those 28 days. Let's see...I know we finally got to spend time out side and dreaming of spring. We removed ds from the dining room table at least 97 times and from the computer closet another 126 times (he's figured out if you push certain buttons, things happen). We made homemade marshmallows and chocolate dipped strawberries for Valentines Day. The girls started a session of swimming lessons. We've been trying to figure out how the Stimulus Package will actually affect us. We've had one couple in our neighborhood BOTH get laid off within two days of each other. We've went from having a strong confidence in Papermans job security to having some strong questions. One case of strep throat. Four pitching lessons. Three doctor visits. Eight trips to dance class. And a partridge in a pear tree, or something like that.

Beans and Rice Baby

I'm a bit tardy (ok, 6 days and counting, to be exact) on making our meal plan for March. It is on my list, but manages to get pushed down on a daily basis. Today I did some big batch cooking as Fareway had some great prices. Boneless pork loin ($1.69/lb), chicken hind quarters ($.39/lb) and dried pinto beans (4 lbs $2.50). I bought 20 lbs of pork loin, roasted 10 lbs and shredded for sandwiches. The rest is cut in chops to grill. Chicken 20 lbs also. I stewed 10 lbs to make broth and cooked chicken for soup, noodles, chicken salad, tacos, and whatever else makes the menu. The beans, I bought two bags, but only prepared 1, thank goodness, as the cooked yield was close to 20 cups. They are simple, cheap, healthy and for those who follow Dave Ramsey...I have rice on hand. "Beans and Rice, Beans and Rice Baby". (that is a Paperman quote) I plan to use them for refried beans and also see if anyone besides me will eat them without a tortilla chip!

CAM Pasta

That would stand for Creamy Asparagus and Mushroom Pasta... This dish came about after I invited my sister and nephew for supper, with nothing planned. Not a real smart move on my part, but not a problem as they take me as I am. For that I am truly thankful, plus the pasta turned out yummy (we were all thankful for that). Note: all measurements are flexible as I just made this one up so I'm guessing too!!



2 c fresh asparagus, cut in 1 inch pieces

1 c fresh mushrooms, sliced

olive oil

diced bacon (optional)

Saute veggies and bacon if using. Add:

2 c grape tomatoes cut in half

2 cloves garlic

salt , pepper and hot pepper flakes to taste

when the tomatoes begin to wilt add:

3/4 c half and half (I used fat free and it was good)

1/2 c Parmesan cheese

heat and mix gently with cooked pasta of choice. Tonight it was bow ties....