It's been a while...

Hello once again! Yes, I know that it has been a while since my last post, I have no excuse other than I am still trying to figure out this crazy thyroid issue, meds, etc.  Seems that since starting the meds, I'm feeling worse...odd.  Blood tests a few weeks ago showed thyroid levels going up but everything else still all out of whack.  I actually have an appointment this afternoon and I am armed with a whole sheet is questions, new symptoms, etc.  I don't know about you, but a visit to to DR always makes me a little nervous, no matter the situation, and usually I forget to tell them something or ask something.  I HAVE to write everything down!  Hopefully, that will do the trick this afternoon!

Our meals, my cooking...extremely inconsistent lately!  I've been throwing together simple and quick things;grilled cheese, soup, spaghetti....I have got to get back on track!  I did make a few trays of lasagna when our company was here (yum) and last night made French onion soup with pierogi!  So easy to make and we love it!  It was a perfect dinner for the chilly weather here.  Warmed us all right up!

Before I wrap this up, I will share this funny story with ya.  Still giggling about it this morning!

I went grocery shopping yesterday morning.  I went grocery shopping looking a little "gross" I guess.  I figured there was no need to fix myself up when I was just going to come home and work around the house.  I brushed my hair, threw on "work" jeans and an old fleece hoodie and I was off.  It was cold and rainy yesterday so I had a winter jacket on.  It was HOT in the store, but I was in a hurry (why, I don't know.  I just wanted to get back home) so didn't bother taking the coat off.  Maybe I got a little sweaty?  Lol  I get to the check out, chat with the very sweet, young gal at the register a bit while she's ringing the items.  Before she gave me my total, she leans up and whispers something like this..."I know you're not a senior yet, but I'm going to ring in the senior discount for you.  Close, enough, right."  Ummmmm I had that "deer in the headlights" look for a moment and then mustered up a quick Thank You, which kind came out sounding more like a question.  I wasn't sure what I should say, you could tell that she really thought she was helping me out.  I didn't know whether to laugh or cry!  I must have REALLY looked scuzzy!  I went with laughter...I cracked up all the way home!  As soon as I got the groceries in the house, I'll admit, I ran to the bathroom to take a look in the mirror...sure I don't look really like myself, when you don't feel good for so long, it is bound to take its toll, but I do not look like a senior citizen!  Thank goodness!  Anyway, I saved $5.67!  Woo hoo!

Enjoy your TODAY!

Better late than never! Here's what we ate last week....

Happy Tuesday everyone!  Sorry that I am late posting last week's menu.  Seems that I am behind on just about everything that I have on my To Do list this week.  Guess it happens to us all, from time to time.  I have a shopping date with my kiddo today, so will get right to the menu so that I have time to straighten up the house then straighten up myself.  The people at Sam's Club will certainly appreciate the latter...he he he 

Until my next post, wishing you all well! 

Mon. Feb. 2 ~ Cheddar potato soup
Tues. Feb. 3 ~ Taco Tuesday!  YUM
Wed. Feb. 4 ~ Yo - yo night (you're on your own)
Thurs. Feb. 5 ~ Chicken spaghetti (Meme's recipe...a favorite in our house)
Fri. Feb. 6 ~ Home made French bread pizzas
Sat. Feb. 7 ~ We ate at a new place, The British Bulldog Pub.  Each of us enjoyed our meals, but the appetizer, Irish Egg Rolls....O M G!!!!!  LOVE!!!  A new favorite treat!
Sun. Feb. 8 ~ Jamaican Jerk & beer marinated chicken legs grilled, frozen corn (that dad, meme and Myrna brought from PA and we cut off the cob and froze...so yummy delicious)

Menu from Mon. Jan. 26 - Sun. Feb. 1st and a quick and easy pasta recipe

Boy, it was hard to accomplish anything yesterday as there were so many "Bowls" that I had to watch!  First, the Kitten Bowl on the Hallmark channel (fell in love with a sweet kitty on there...Ryan Fitzcatrick...OH MY GOSH what a gorgeous kitty..I'd adopt him in a New York minute!), then the Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet and finally, the big bowl, The Super Bowl.......

I meant to post this last night, but, to my surprise, I was really into the Super Bowl...what a game!  It certainly kept us on the edge of our seats!  I do not follow football, so when hubby asked if I'd like to make a "friendly" wager (LOL I put all of $3.00 in the pot!), I randomly picked the Patriots, partly because I feel that they've gotten a bad rap lately and I also like the name "Patriots."  LOL  The kiddo went with the Pats, too...she won the cash, as she guessed a closer total game score.  It was a fun night and I did learn a little more about football.  Oh, also thought Katy Perry did an excellent job at Half Time!  So, that's my 2 cents about that...now on to something I really know about.  LOL

Well, I managed to cook every night last week, except for Saturday.  Tried a few new recipes that were all very tasty (thank goodness!).  Everything was a hit! I love cooking for my little family! With that, I'll get right to the menu and then I'm off to the store...I must prepare for another week of meals.  ;)

~Enjoy

Mon. Jan. 26 ~ Cherry Zinfandel grilled steaks, loaded baked potatoes and sautéed green beans with olive  oil and fresh garlic

Tues. Jan. 27 ~ Creamy chicken and dumpling soup

Wed. Jan. 28 ~ Bourbon and apple glazed pork, creamed corn, baby red potatoes/mashed

Thurs. Jan. 29 ~ Baked chicken and roasted broccoli (Roasted broccoli is so easy and yummy, you MUST try it!)

Fri. Jan. 30 ~ Spaghetti tossed with pesto, fresh kale and roasted cherry tomatoes.  Sprinkles fresh grated parmesan cheese on top

Sat. Jan. 31 ~ We went out for salad and pizza

Sun. Feb. 1 ~ Super Bowl Sunday....no meal, just game day snack food.  I made a yummy 7 layer dip served with tortilla chips, hubby smoked chicken wings, I made brownies and a yummy Tastefully Simple Orange Dreamcicle cheese ball served with Chocolate Twisty Grahams.

Pasta Toss

*1 pound spaghetti
*1 pint roasted cherry or grape tomatoes
*4 cups chopped spinach (I used kale because that's what I had)
*1/2 - 1 fresh lemon
*6 - 8 oz jar basil pesto
*Salt & pepper to taste
*Extra virgin olive oil
*Fresh parmesan cheese, grated

~Toss tomatoes with a little olive oil, salt and pepper.  Spread on a cookie sheet and bake in a preheated, 375 degree oven, for about 20 minutes.  Tomatoes should just start to split.  Remove from oven and set aside.
~Cook spaghetti according to package directions.  Drain most of the water, but not all.
~While spaghetti is cooking, heat a little bit of olive oil (I used roughly 2 TBS) in a large pan on medium heat.  Add chopped spinach and cook for about 5 minutes (maybe a little less time for the spinach, I used kale so needed that full 5 minutes to "tenderize" it).  Spinach should still have that fresh, bright green appearance.  Drizzle with fresh lemon juice.
~Add pasta and stir.  Next gently stir in the pesto and season to taste.  Add as much of the fresh grated parmesan cheese as you like.  I added about 1/8 cup. Quickly mix through so it doesn't clump while melting.
~ Gently fold in tomatoes, cooking long enough to heat them through.
~Serve and enjoy!


Roasted Broccoli (not really a "recipe" as I eyeball this now)

* a few cups of FRESH broccoli crowns, washed and dried
*olive oil
*fresh lemon juice (1/2 - 1 lemon)
*salt & pepper
*garlic or onion flakes (I use Tastefully Simple Garlic Garlic or Onion Onion, whichever I grab first..both are yummy!)
*Fresh parmesan cheese

~Heat oven to 425 degrees
~Toss all ingredients in a bowl then spread on baking sheet (be careful not to over salt, you can always add more later...same goes for the lemon juice.  I add half the lemon when mixing and after cooking sprinkle on some of the other half of lemon)
~Bake for 10 - 12 minutes, then stir around on baking sheet so that the crowns do not burn.  Return to oven
~Bake for another 10 minutes or so.  It really depends on your oven.  We like out broccoli to have a bit of it's "crispness" and just a little bit of "brown" from the roasting process
~When done to your liking, remove from oven, grate fresh parmesan over top and serve.

Enjoy!