Mealplan Monday #226

Monday - Marilyn's Cheese Peta, salad
Tuesday - Ham Balls, cabbage, black eyed peas, rolls*
Wednesday - Meatloaf, leftover mashed potatoes (freezer), IP veggie
Thursday - Something from the freezer - maybe leftover Cafe Rio Chicken, fresh veggie
Friday - Pot o' white beans with ham bone from Christmas (add carrots)
Saturday - YOYO
Sunday - Cheese bread and soup

*We have this every year and it's my FAVORITE meal for all that it represents:  the blank slate of a New Year, the end of holidays, the coming together of my family for another big holiday meal (:  Besides all that - so delish.  This year I work on New Year's Day so we will enjoy it for a BIG lunch!

Gina

Happy 20th birthday to Bubbie!

I think Bubbie sometimes gets short-shifted on his birthday - but maybe not, because he never has complained.  Other people have told him its a bummer to have a Christmas birthday.  But why is it terrible to get extra presents and have all of your family gathered around you on your birthday?

I think its pretty darn special.

A whole season to celebrate and the promise of another successful year for this very special member of our tribe - the smart, good-natured, and much-loved Grayson.  Happy 20th Birthday, Son.  May all of your days be merry and bright!

Weekend re-cap: junk-ing, fondue-ing, wine-ing, eating, and relaxing

We started off our Saturday by visiting Leander Market - a group of vintage/antiques/junk stores - on our way to Burnet.

 In particular, we were looking for a solid wood bookcase for Firstborn's new apartment.

 I loved these stores and want to add some more farmhouse decor to Camp Rustown - and I was tempted by offers of "wheeling and dealing".

 A lot of the Christmas-y stuff I saw was something I could create myself!  Next year...when I have my crafts room back.

LO AND BEHOLD!  It was $35 and just needed to have a scuff or two knocked down and a fresh coat of poly.  Plus, I would love to cut a piece of beadboard to fit the back.  {We were running short of time to get 'er done, though, and were doing good to get it prettied up for Christmas morning.}

We stopped at Hoover Valley cafe for a catfish plate to go, then mosey'd over to Perisso's for a tasting  to be followed by a bottle on the patio.  The weather was glorious and they had live music.  

Wineries are very relaxing places during the holidays.  Especially on an outside patio!

 After that, we headed to Highlands and Hubby surprised me with an early gift:  A fondue pot with a bottle of Rousanne, a loaf of bread, and some swiss and cheddar cheeses.

We filled up on fondue and skipped dinner!  And we were treated to a pretty sunset, and a calm evening by the firepit.

 A million miles from holiday stress.

The next day we visited Westcave Cellars since we knew there would be live music and more beautiful weather.  {even so, they had barely ANYONE there} Along the way, we picked up Schlotzsky's - and Hubby indulged my craving for fried okra by going through the Chicken Express drive through just next door to that.

 I could sit and snack on that with my wine all afternoon!  Oh yeah, that's right...I DID.

 The guitarist was a nice guy and he and Hubby chatted it up for a while...It was lovely at WC, but we had one more stop to make...

 It's been about a year since we visited Wimberley Valley Winery, but we knew they would have spiced Christmas wine so off we headed!

 The place was EMPTY.  Turns out that three of the employees we loved PLUS the manager had left this year.  So it was a little sad knowing that the Change Machine is still cranking.

But we enjoyed a leather couch all to ourselves in front of the fireplace and we sat sipping our Christmas wine in peace - not having a crowd of people around you does make for relaxing times and it was a delightful break from holiday stress.  We collected our wine (which was delish all warmed up on Christmas Eve) and we headed home.  And today it seems like Christmas 2018 is already a million miles away...

Mealplan Monday #225

Here's what I posted on the fridge...

Holiday Menu

Monday – Quiche for breakfast, Tamale Luncheon, Snackatizers* for dinner - cards and games!

Tuesday – Brunch is French Toast Casserole with bacon and sausages.  Early Dinner of Spiral Ham, Arkansas Green Beans, Steakhouse Mac and Cheese, rolls, Bourbon Bundt Birthday Cake with ice cream

Wednesday – Burgers, Jalapeno Poppers, Chips

Thursday – Crockpot Cowboy Beans, cornbread

Friday – Chicken Strips, Loaded Mashed Potatoes, fresh veg

Saturday – YOYO

Sunday – Three Cheese Tortellini with Chicken, fresh veg

The Snackatizers this year are: Italian meats tray with assorted olives; a plate of Cranberry Goat Cheese with dried figs, gingerbread crisps and pistachio pomegranate crisps; a plate of white cheddar cheese, smoked trout, and spicy pecans; carmelized onion dip and hot artichoke dip with bagel crisps; cold-boiled shrimp with lemon wedges and seafood cocktail sauce; Christmas sangria. 

Merry Christmas from the cook!

Gina

5 thing Friday - new friends, old friends, downtown, comfort, Subie

This past year has seen some big changes for me at work...well, I guess its been more than 365 days that things started changing.  And I really didn't see that it was going in a positive direction.  It just seemed sadder and I felt very down.

 But time has a way of smoothing out some rough edges, and I am enjoying working with my evening peeps.  They are young and fun and we all get along, and really - what more could I ask for?

At the TNL pick-up party on Saturday we ran into an old college friend and her daughter.  (the lady in the foreground with glasses and the lady right next to her) 

I wasn't drunk, promise.  We hung out with them for a couple of hours and had a very lovely time.  And next time there is a pick-up we will make sure that we do that again!

Later that afternoon we caught a Metrorail train to downtown Austin for Hubby's office party.

 I was surprised at how fast and efficient it was - we were downtown in no time.  We had a short walk to Congress Avenue and saw the sights - the first Austin fire station, a few bars and restaurants, some homeless folk.  Very entertaining...

 

  We had a very nice dinner and drinks at Roaring Fork, and a show at The Paramount.  It was a great evening!

We hopped back on the train just after 11, Firstborn picked us up at the station, and we were home before midnight.  Pooped.

Most nights I have been enjoying either hot chocolate or tea while I read a bit.  Its a nice way to relax.  We've been super busy at work and the Christmas machine has been cranking at home.  Mama needs to wind down for everyone's safety.

I took Monday off and got my oil changed, among other things.  Now my passenger seat belt is alarming, reminding my non-existent passenger to buckle up...hopefully it will resolve and if not, I guess its off to the Subaru dealer I go.

Healthier Pork Chops

{You'll have to forgive the lack of mag-worthy pics here.  Its never going to happen..}

 You know how when you buy a big package of mixed pork chops there are always the ugly ones* on the bottom?  They taste good when you cook them, they just aren't pretty.  Well, I cooked some of them up last week and got creative!

The Girl had brought a package of foo-foo lentils and barley from Central Market home to me.  Now while that isn't something I regularly buy, I do have to say that it was a great meal shortcut.  I didn't take a photo of the package, but here is the link.

 Yes!  I have a pink fry pan!

I sauteed some leftover chopped fresh onion and tomato from taco night the day before, added in some mixed greens and a splash of chicken stock and a dab of Greek salad dressing and let it simmer, then added in my lentils and barley.  I also had some leftover charro beans and a baggie of black beans in the freezer, so in they went.  I set the pre-seasoned and browned chops on top and cooked, covered, until they were tender.  

I think this is more or less a method - not really a recipe.  And guess what?  Two other picky eaters cleaned their plates!  It was a great dinner shortcut that was one pan, plus it was loaded with veggies and grains.  A very nice change of pace and maybe one I will add in to the menus more often.

*Speaking of ugly, I just recently signed up for Imperfect Produce to be delivered to me once a week!  I'm excited for us to up our veggie intake.

Mealplan Monday #224

Its the final push until The Big Day...I am determined I will not stress out...

So dinners this week are EASY.

Monday - Omelettes, biscuits, bacon (I'm off this day)

Tuesday - Smothered Pork Loin Chops, rice, green beans

Wednesday - Cafe Rio Chicken Tacos, borracho beans

Thursday - Grilled Gouda and Smoked Turkey sandwiches, split pea soup

Friday - Spaghetti and Meatsauce with bell peppers and onions, salad

Saturday - Last of the Turkey Soup!

Sunday - Beef Tips and Gravy, mashed potatoes, something from the new produce box order that I started from Imperfect Produce

Gina

5 thing Friday - basket, front door, weather, Burnet, desk

I found these cute Santa baskets at Dollar Tree and bought a couple.

I think they are the perfect container for homemade cookies to give as gifts.  I've got one put together for my mother that will have pecans, gingersnaps, and coffee. She's pretty hard to buy for and doesn't really need anything, so treats it is.

My Christmas decorating stalled out front when I couldn't get the front door painted.  I'm either not here to do it, or on call, or its raining.  So I hung a garland up, stuck some Dollar Tree berry sprays in and called it done.  You know, there's a lot of pressure this time of year to get it all done, and I'm here to say:  YOU CAN'T.

 December in Central Texas is mostly beautiful.  Even when it rains, at least we aren't getting ice.

 At Westcave Cellars weekend before last we enjoyed the most beautiful afternoon - sipping wine, smelling wood smoke, listening to a guy play guitar.

It was their December pick-up party and we had such a nice time!  The owner served snack trays with chunks of smoked pork tenderloin, a cab sav reduction sauce, spinach and parmesan baked on French bread slices, and double chocolate brownies.  We settled back with our bottle of cab franc and our snacks - SO GOOD.

The front of one of the antique stores in Burnet features a giant frame to pose in.  Everything is so cute and quaint and festive!  I think it will be a culture shock for us to be there someday - such a small town - but in time we will love the slower pace and friendlier nature.  And Burnet is slowly being revitalized, so growth may well happen.

Along with our dying washer, the printer/fax also kicked the bucket.  Since we liked that particular model we just bought another like it - plus we had a fair amount of money in cartridges. I spent Tuesday morning finding a space for it in the kitchen next to the cookbooks and since originally it was going to live under my desk, I thought: tra la!  I can leave my desk as is!  So I spent some time cleaning up around it, hiding the cords, sweeping under it, emptying the trash and file basket...I love my tiny office nook.  Maybe when Firstborn moves out (yet again) I will carve out a real office space, but for now, this is sweet.

The 2018 Christmas cards

On Thanksgiving afternoon, we gathered everyone up and walked a couple of blocks to the greenbelt in our neighborhood to take a few photos.  No one dressed up.  I didn't put a bit of makeup on. Teddy was deliriously happy to be on a walk with 8 happy humans.

And the next day, Dutch sent me the pics, which I immediately uploaded to Walgreen's photo site and printed up 24 Christmas cards on card stock for less than $16.  I had them by last week and mailed them out right away.  Winning.

They feature the old folks...

...the siblings...

...a perfectly posed and much-loved rescue mutt...

...some attractive younger couples...

...and a smiling group of people who spent the day as a family.  It was perfect.  

And I love the cards this year.