Mealplan Monday #127 and Strawberry Bread

I wanted to take some things to Dallas with us to lessen the hostess load on my nephew's family.  They were very generous to let all five of us stay at their house.  They have small children - I know how tough it can be when your kids are out of their normal schedule with sad faces all around and hubbub. Strawberry Bread sounded like a good thing to bring - I got the recipe from Sharon so many years ago. We were visiting her around the holidays and she had set out a couple of breakfast breads with butter. It was wonderful!

She was a great hostess and cook and she shared her recipes with me whenever I asked, which was often.  So, in honor of her...

Strawberry Bread
Pre-heat the oven to 350. Sift together in a large bowl:
3 c. flour
1 t baking soda
1 t salt
1 t cinnamon
2 c. sugar*

In another bowl mix:
4 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 c. canola oil
2 small cartons strawberries in syrup, thawed

Combine the two, stirring gently.  Grease and flour 4 loaf pans.  Divide batter evenly between the pans. (You can also add some finely chopped nuts to the batter if you like)  Bake at 350 for 45 min to an hour, depending on your oven.  Let cool and slice. Or freeze them for the holidays!

I broke my no oven rule and the house smelled so good!

Monday - (Leftover from freezer) BBQ Pulled Chicken for sammies, chips
Tuesday - Spinach Salsa Chicken (freezer meal), brown rice,corn
Wednesday - Four Cheese Bacon Lasagna Skillet, salad (And Back to School Night for only ONE kid - I can hardly believe it!!)
Thursday - Pan Fried Pork Chops, white beans with tomatoes, cheesey garlic toast
Friday - Game Night - OUT
Saturday - Dad grill
Sunday - Chicken Parmesan Casserole, salad

The loaves don't rise really high - they are so moist.  Also, I've made them with a little less sugar and oil in the past and they turn out OK.  Your call.

Strawberry Bread will forever remind me of family, holidays, home, and Sharon.

Gina

5 thing Friday - clouds, birthday blues, Fall decor, jewelry, sign

It's been an OK week.  We're all trying to get back into the school/band/college/work groove here, but it's been a rough start with my SIL passing.  Looking forward to a better week soon.

 The humidity and heat are back.  Don't let these dark clouds fool you into thinking we will actually get rain.  They are there to taunt us.

 The Girl turns 23 next week. I might not get to Waco next Friday, which pains me.  She said the next time she is coming home is Thanksgiving.  Eventually mama will bake girlie a cake!

I pulled all of the Fall crap out yesterday to start Fall-ifying in here. I made a gigantic mess all over the dining room, but I got everything prettied up so now the house is clean and smells good and looks great. 

 Here is a little bit of it in the kitchen.  I'm buying less each year.

 I took some things in to James Avery for cleaning and as always, it was like getting new things! And I need The Girl to get her finger sized so we can order her "class ring".

I don't know why I ever took down my homemade No Soliciting sign but I finally made a new one.  Someone at the door actually told me they weren't trying to sell me anything, as they were standing about a foot from the door.  

Gina

BBQ Chicken and Pineapple Quesadillas

This week there are only three of us to feed and I have a million things to do to get ready for an out of town trip.  

 So, when a friend suggested these quesadillas I thought they sounded perfect.  We love our quesdadillas around here, and these were really tasty.

 I bought a rotisserie chicken on my way home from work, and the other ingredients I already had - BBQ sauce, pineapple tidbits, flour tortillas, cheese (not pictured), and some butter (ditto).  I'm not 100% sure of the recipe, I was just winging it!

I heated up my griddle, deboned and chopped the chicken, drained the pineapple, 

 

and grated the cheese.  I happened to have mild cheddar, but I guess most hard cheeses would be fine.  I no longer buy the pre-grated bags of cheese - when you grate your own it just seems creamier.

 I put a tortilla, buttered side down on the hot griddle and just layered on cheese, chicken, pineapple, a tablespoon or so of sauce, and more cheese.

Then I slapped down another tortilla and buttered the top of it.

 After a few minutes I peek at the underside - if it's nice and toasty I flip.  Flipping it can be tricky with grated cheese.  But freashly grated cheese melts quicker and I get the griddle really hot.

This is the color I aim for!  I made a big salad with grape tomatoes, romaine, avocados, and the kitchen sink.  Just like Hubby does.

And I gently simmered the chicken carcass for stock.  

Gina

Shared with

Mealplan Monday #126 and the end of summer band practice

I know it seems like I keep repeating myself that the summer seemed to hit the blahs with about two weeks to go.  However, one of the highlights of those blah days was getting to go see the band show off for us at the end of summer camp.

We got there early enough to get a great seat at the edge of the practice lot.  We opened up the hatchback and settled in.  The sun was burning hot, but there was the promise of an ice cream social to follow.

 Unfortunately, Bubbie was somewhere on the side furthest from us.

 

Monday - Chinese take out
Tuesday - BBQ Chicken and Pineapple quesadillas
Wednesday - Meatball Subs and rosemary fries
Thursday - Game Night - Whataburger*
Friday - Papa John's (we have a free pizza coming)
Saturday - Trip to Dallas
Sunday - Pot Luck Beans
I doubt I will give much thought to dessert

*This is a tradition that Hubby started...pick up our favorite band student after the game and get a late night burger.  Is it a healthy habit?  No.  But it's a lot of fun!

 

Much to the kids' obvious delight, they had the parents join the band on the practice lot to learn a few marching basics.  Fun!

It was great to get a sneak peek at the halftime show.  I am so looking forward to the football games and all the fun marching season has in store for Bubbie!

Happy Labor Day!

Gina

You'll never know

How much all that you did meant to me.  From the moment Hubby and I started dating in college, you welcomed me into your family with open arms.

 You spent the afternoon of my wedding ironing all of the tablecloths - with a smile on your face.

 And still managed to be a beautiful bridesmaid who just beamed with happiness on our special day.

 You were never camera shy, even if my wee ones were - they loved being around bubbly and fun Aunt Sharon.  Always up for a tickle and a cuddle!

You were a second mother to Hubby and always thought he was fabulous - you made him feel loved, helping and encouraging him to stay on the right path.

You shared in our joys as we expanded our family, even if it caused you to ponder if we'd lost our minds by the fourth one...you always wanted to live closer saying that the miles were too many.  You were right.  I learned so much from you about keeping a home and raising kids.  You were such a great role model.

You were so much fun to be around, so lively, so alive.  Your home was always warm and welcoming and we all felt happy to be with you and your family.  You waited on us hand and foot - the most gracious, loving hostess who was so happy to see us!

Being with you around the holidays was especially nice - you were up for games and wine drinking and more camera silliness.

And you shed real tears of joy whenever you saw us after an extended time - you were completely and totally in love with all things family.  

I will miss you more than I could ever tell you, but I could never express all that you meant to me.  And I, like everyone else, will find it so hard to say goodbye.

Gina

Mealplan Monday #125 and the promise that is Fall

It was such a blah last few days of summer break.  The boys and I accomplished much, but it was mostly related to getting ready for the school year.  The last month or so the weather went from pleasing to horrid and everything around us parched and dry. But fear not!

I am looking forward to all that Fall brings!  Football games, holidays, whole days off with the house to myself, getting some crafty things done.

Monday - Country Chicken with Herb Dumplings
Tuesday - Cowboy Casserole, salad
Wednesday - Red Wine Pot Roast, mashed, peas and carrots
Thursday - Football game - Burger out
Friday - Pulled BBQ Chicken on Texas toast, coleslaw
Saturday - Dad grill
Sunday - Baked Italian Shells (freezer), salad
Lots of salad this week!

Just can't get here fast enough for me!

Gina

5 thing Friday - a desk, The Girl, suffering fig, letters, sardines

It's been a rather hot and tiring end of the summer.  My knee is still bothering me and I have so much on my To Do list that needs attending to.  I did manage to get my laptop ordered.  Next on the list is a car, as Scout will need transportation to school and work so he's inheriting my old one.

Several weeks ago I built an IKEA desk for Bubbie.  I took my time putting it together and did a good job.  "I DID THAT". Go, me.

 The Girl went back to Waco yesterday.  It was her first morning of the summer to sleep in.  She laid on the floor and petted the cat, then promptly got up to go get her car inspected and cleaned.  Today is orientation for her intramural job on campus.  That girl is on the ball. 

 My landscape is suffering.

 The fig has all but given up and I water it several times a week.  We need a good soaking rain or two or three.

 

I am plowing through the Saudi letters a few per day.  It's a slow process.  My mother wrote in small script so she could use most of the paper.  Long letters, and sometimes she repeats things.  And there are things I need to ask her about now, as so much time has passed that she's more likely to elaborate.  It is interesting to me that by the first month there, she had gone from signing "Love, Mama" to "I love and miss you terribly". 

When I visited her recently, I picked up fallen needles in her sewing room with a magnetic pick-up tool that was broken.  So, I sent Hubby to Harbor Freight and mailed her a new one.  She also mentioned that she really likes sardines, but they are too expensive, and enjoys making beans in her crock pot.  I thought, why not get her some of both?  I am going to see her next week to take these and a few other things and spend time with her. 

Gina