So here it is in February, and it's so cold here that there is rolling blackouts of electricity. WOW. I don't believe this has happened in a long time. Where we live is actually down closer to the water, (Galveston), and it's even cold here. It is in the low 20's and the wind is blowing even harder. It makes the wind chill factor feel like it's below 0. We are about to fly to Vegas, tomorrow, and hoping the weather holds out to get us off the ground and go West for a tad bit warmer weather. We are bundled up, and staying warm, at work, but have to get out in the weather on occasion, and it's really brutal to say the least. I really don't know how people live in the northern states in snow, most of the year. I think that must come from acclamation, but not this Texas girl. I'll stay right here and deal with the "occasional" winter blast. I'm really hoping that everyone stays home if they do not have to travel, and stay warm as well. I'm concerned about my grandchildren right now, as they rolling blackout of electricity has hit my stepdaughters house today. She has no firewood, and cannot light the oven, due to the fact that it is, electric start on a gas stove. What ever happen to those stoves that ran just strictly on gas? You could always turn on the stove when it was extra cold outside, and the house stay warm. But these days and the new fangled fancy stoves, I suppose that is not possible. I'm guessing those of us who have a fireplace, are the lucky ones at this point, and hopefully it will not last long.
I will say this...I will be on that plane, tomorrow, and sit on it, with a lot of alcohol, if I have too, until it takes off. I want to go to Vegas, and I want to see George Strait. I'm sure that if weather permits, the plane will take off with no problems, except a little bumpy ride, first. But we all have intentions of getting to Vegas and when we fly back to Houston, this freeze will be over with...or at least that is what they tell us.
Wish us luck and pray for those who don't have electricity and heating at this point, and hope that the electrical grid holds out until this is over.
Have a wonderful bundled up day.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Recipe Cooking from My daughter
Ok, so I decided to go ahead and make one of my daughters recipes that she sent me. One that is not only good for you, but I've found out is very delicious. I had no idea that swiss chard, would be good. I hate to say this, because I cook a lot, but I've never used swiss chard. I actually thought it was some funny looking greens, that you need to put all these things with...well, not true. Her recipe and ingredients are simple. Just like food should be. If you have things in the recipe that you cannot pronounce, you probably don't need it. So here is her recipe, and then I will post pictures as I go of how I did this recipe.
Hearty Greens and Tomato Soup
Ingredients:
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes
1 bunch swiss chard, de-stemmed, chop stems and chop leaves. Keep separated.
1 yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 quart organic chicken stock
If you can find it: Israeli cous-cous (they look like little balls) if not, just get bow-tie pasta
Cut the rind off of your Parmesiano Reggiano (trust me)
Oregano or Basil (dried)
Get out your big dutch oven, and saute chopped chard stems (not leaves) and onion until soft. Add in garlic and cook a couple minutes.
Add in tomatoes (with juice), chicken stock, 3 or 4 cups water, chard leaves, cous-cous or pasta, your Parmesan rind and some oregano, salt and pepper, or whatever spice you wanna use. Just use some!
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer with lid on for about 20 minutes.
Your done!
Ok, so here is how it looks: First you do all the chopping and start sauteing.
This is the Swiss chard leaves nicely chopped.
Then you have Garlic, and onions to saute as well, with the Swiss Chard's Stems.
This is what is looks like when sauteing. There is already a great smell from the onions and chard.
You can add these tomatoes that already have Basil and Garlic and Oregano it them if you want. I found that it worked really well.
This is what it looks like when all ingredients are in the pot. I did add a few pieces of boiled chicken in it, because my husband seems to think you have to have meat in everything. So since I used chicken broth, (Cage Free), I decided to add that for a tad bit more flavor.
This actually tasted like an Italian soup. It is wonderfully hearty, and the aroma in my house is awesome right now. Please get you some Parmesan toast, and enjoy.
Have a wonderful day, and I want to thank my daughter Trista for this recipe. I wanted to take pictures and show her that I did cook this, and it's great. My husband is eating this, and wants me to make more!!! How wonderful. I also made Chicken and Dumplings, and he hasn't even touched those yet! I love it. This soup is GREAT!
I love her for helping me eat healthier now.
Best wishes for the day!
Also there is a link for freezing soup, and it would be very interesting. I think I'll have to try this one.
: http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/tips-techniques/the-easiest-way-possible-to-freeze-soup-in-single-servings-136197
Enjoy your soup.
Hearty Greens and Tomato Soup
Ingredients:
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes
1 bunch swiss chard, de-stemmed, chop stems and chop leaves. Keep separated.
1 yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 quart organic chicken stock
If you can find it: Israeli cous-cous (they look like little balls) if not, just get bow-tie pasta
Cut the rind off of your Parmesiano Reggiano (trust me)
Oregano or Basil (dried)
Get out your big dutch oven, and saute chopped chard stems (not leaves) and onion until soft. Add in garlic and cook a couple minutes.
Add in tomatoes (with juice), chicken stock, 3 or 4 cups water, chard leaves, cous-cous or pasta, your Parmesan rind and some oregano, salt and pepper, or whatever spice you wanna use. Just use some!
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer with lid on for about 20 minutes.
Your done!
Ok, so here is how it looks: First you do all the chopping and start sauteing.
This actually tasted like an Italian soup. It is wonderfully hearty, and the aroma in my house is awesome right now. Please get you some Parmesan toast, and enjoy.
Have a wonderful day, and I want to thank my daughter Trista for this recipe. I wanted to take pictures and show her that I did cook this, and it's great. My husband is eating this, and wants me to make more!!! How wonderful. I also made Chicken and Dumplings, and he hasn't even touched those yet! I love it. This soup is GREAT!
I love her for helping me eat healthier now.
Best wishes for the day!
Also there is a link for freezing soup, and it would be very interesting. I think I'll have to try this one.
: http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/tips-techniques/the-easiest-way-possible-to-freeze-soup-in-single-servings-136197
Enjoy your soup.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Zumba Dancing
So I'm starting to watch the video's of my Zumba dancing that I got for Christmas, (I just had to have them)...So I'm watching them, and it teaches you how to do the dancing, and I've only mastered one out of the 8 on the FIRST video with five videos to go!!! But not to worry, it will get done. Instead of watching them, I will be doing the dancing and loosing the weight,or should I say I hope to loose weight. I love to dance, and learn new things, so I'm going to get some lesson's done.
I've been on the phone with one of my sister's that is trying to loose a bunch of weight in two weeks, so that she can be seen at a luncheon in London and there will be camera's there, so she is desperately trying to dance and swim the weight off. She called me with the music blaring in my ear, and jumping around and then decided to sit down and have a drink and a cigarette!! Now that is getting the job done! She is a nutcase. But I mean that in a good way.
So, back to my dancing. This is going to be interesting, and fun all at the same time. I've got my husband to help me with the rest of the things in the house, while I learn to dance.
And I'm going to look as if I have learned a whole new dance number, and not look like I'm stuck in the 80's and can't dance.
It will be great to do these exercising dances and get down to my 'fighting' weight. whooohoooo.
Wish me luck on this one.
By the way, I did NOT make the fettuccine last night, the husband wasn't ready to try that and he thought it may be too much trouble for a Monday night meal. Oh well. I will post pictures as soon as I do make that meal.
But If I'm loosing weight, I might not make it unless company comes over.
Everyone have a wonderful day.
I've been on the phone with one of my sister's that is trying to loose a bunch of weight in two weeks, so that she can be seen at a luncheon in London and there will be camera's there, so she is desperately trying to dance and swim the weight off. She called me with the music blaring in my ear, and jumping around and then decided to sit down and have a drink and a cigarette!! Now that is getting the job done! She is a nutcase. But I mean that in a good way.
So, back to my dancing. This is going to be interesting, and fun all at the same time. I've got my husband to help me with the rest of the things in the house, while I learn to dance.
And I'm going to look as if I have learned a whole new dance number, and not look like I'm stuck in the 80's and can't dance.
It will be great to do these exercising dances and get down to my 'fighting' weight. whooohoooo.
Wish me luck on this one.
By the way, I did NOT make the fettuccine last night, the husband wasn't ready to try that and he thought it may be too much trouble for a Monday night meal. Oh well. I will post pictures as soon as I do make that meal.
But If I'm loosing weight, I might not make it unless company comes over.
Everyone have a wonderful day.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Monday Blues and what's for Supper
Today is one of those rainy days, that everyone would rather stay at home in bed, but like most of us, everyone had to get out and get into the rain and drudge their way to work. Only because we have to, even though you would much rather be at home, maybe creating a new dish, for supper, or trying something that you have not cooked as of yet.
Although I did get myself a kitchen cookbook stand yesterday, so that it would be much easier to get my big cookbook to stand up, I've only cooked a few things from it. Today is one of those days, I need to search the depths of myself, and create something great. Or better yet, my daughter has just posted a dish that is a favorite at our house to. Chicken Alfredo, with a twist. It is the perfect blend of pasta, greens, and cheese, (and of course) chicken, if you just have to have the meat.
It was a beautiful blend of Alfredo, with spinach leaves boiled with the pasta. Great idea I must say. I cannot wait to try this recipe. It's one of those days, where you need some comfort, easy to fix meal, and little effort. Bless her for posting these wonderful recipes she creates.
Tomorrow, I might post a picture of how mine turns out. I'm sure it won't look as good as her does.
Actually today is just a blah Monday, and working seems to take my mind off other pressing situations. Of which I can do nothing about, at this particualar time, but I will figure it out soon.
I hope each and every one of you has a wonderful day, doing whatever you like to do today. As for me, I can't wait to get off work, and get home and do some cooking.
Later!
Although I did get myself a kitchen cookbook stand yesterday, so that it would be much easier to get my big cookbook to stand up, I've only cooked a few things from it. Today is one of those days, I need to search the depths of myself, and create something great. Or better yet, my daughter has just posted a dish that is a favorite at our house to. Chicken Alfredo, with a twist. It is the perfect blend of pasta, greens, and cheese, (and of course) chicken, if you just have to have the meat.
It was a beautiful blend of Alfredo, with spinach leaves boiled with the pasta. Great idea I must say. I cannot wait to try this recipe. It's one of those days, where you need some comfort, easy to fix meal, and little effort. Bless her for posting these wonderful recipes she creates.
Tomorrow, I might post a picture of how mine turns out. I'm sure it won't look as good as her does.
Actually today is just a blah Monday, and working seems to take my mind off other pressing situations. Of which I can do nothing about, at this particualar time, but I will figure it out soon.
I hope each and every one of you has a wonderful day, doing whatever you like to do today. As for me, I can't wait to get off work, and get home and do some cooking.
Later!
Monday, January 17, 2011
Starting Out
So here it is, my first attempt at this,...well, not really, but these are things I can actually publish.
I want to tell you a few things about myself, and then tell you the things that I've experienced, and how it all became this way.
First off, I'm a mother of one, and stepmother of three, with 5 grandchildren, none of which belong to my child...yet, and I'm only 47 years old. I adore them all, with a passion like no other, and wouldn't trade a thing for them all.
I am from Texas, born and raised here, but always love to travel the world, wherever it takes me. I've been in the mountains, of Colorado and Wyoming to the Mountains of Thailand. I've grown up a country girl, and pretty much hold to my roots. But on occasion, want to see how the city folk live. Why not? Doesn't hurt anyone, and it's a whole lot of fun. I'm a fun person like that, most of the time.
I want to tell you a few things about myself, and then tell you the things that I've experienced, and how it all became this way.
First off, I'm a mother of one, and stepmother of three, with 5 grandchildren, none of which belong to my child...yet, and I'm only 47 years old. I adore them all, with a passion like no other, and wouldn't trade a thing for them all.
I am from Texas, born and raised here, but always love to travel the world, wherever it takes me. I've been in the mountains, of Colorado and Wyoming to the Mountains of Thailand. I've grown up a country girl, and pretty much hold to my roots. But on occasion, want to see how the city folk live. Why not? Doesn't hurt anyone, and it's a whole lot of fun. I'm a fun person like that, most of the time.
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