Updated - I finished another block ! And ... I checked the forecast - it's supposed to rain off and on all week - wonder what I should work on next !
To see what others are working on - Check out Judy's blog at Patchwork Times.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Design Wall Monday
It's been so long since my sewing machine was uncovered ! But now, the fish pond is clean, the pool is open and solar covered, the garden has been started, the lawn is mowed, the laundry is spinning, the dishes are washed .... and it's raining ! So ....
I actually completed one block, and will start working on another. I'm loving this bright quilt - this one will NOT be a gift - it's going on my bed one day !
Updated - I finished another block ! And ... I checked the forecast - it's supposed to rain off and on all week - wonder what I should work on next !
To see what others are working on - Check out Judy's blog at Patchwork Times.
Updated - I finished another block ! And ... I checked the forecast - it's supposed to rain off and on all week - wonder what I should work on next !
To see what others are working on - Check out Judy's blog at Patchwork Times.
Friday, April 12, 2013
Good News Thursday
Another week went by - and get this - I went to yet another spa ! I am a
secret shopper, and one of my assignments this week was a shop at a
casino. While it wasn't as grand as the Red Door Spa last time, it was
nice to get away from the kids for an evening. While the hubster and I
again didn't have dinner together, we did spend the morning together
ordering room service and having breakfast in bed !
While they didn't
have any King Size beds left when I checked in, so I had to settle for 2
doubles, we did spend some time alone in the Jacuzzi's and the swimming
pool before going to the spa, so it was a successful day to reconnect.
Oh, and I got paid for spending some time with the hubster - can't beat
that !
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Good News Thursday
Although it's not Thursday anymore - but I was lucky enough to spend a couple days away from home on a little mini-retreat. Of course, with 4 kids at home, I still stopped by one day (we were only 15 minutes away) and kept in constant contact, but overall it was wonderful to just relax.
We stayed at Harrah's Waterfront Hotel and Casino. We don't gamble, so it was simply to relax and enjoy ourselves. The hubster had to work both days, and had tennis matches both nights, so I was mostly on my own.
Day one consisted of a pedicure for me. If you've never been to the Red Door Spa - I urge you to go! It's more expensive then your local nail place - but it's soooo worth it. Next time I'll make my appt. on a day where I can also use the spa ... more on that later !
Dinner on day one consisted of me going to our local Olive Garden - with a stop at home to drop off sodas and a credit card so the kids could order pizza the next day. I ate my dinner back at the hotel, and the hubster ate part of his a few hours later (we found a fridge disguised as part of a dresser - behind doors - classy!
Day Two - I woke to a beautiful sunrise - this was the view from our room on the 38th floor.
Beautiful. After a breakfast of leftovers from Olive Garden - I decided to check out the pool. The hubster had to leave as he was expecting an appliance delivery at one of our rentals. The pool was also magnificent -
We stayed at Harrah's Waterfront Hotel and Casino. We don't gamble, so it was simply to relax and enjoy ourselves. The hubster had to work both days, and had tennis matches both nights, so I was mostly on my own.
Day one consisted of a pedicure for me. If you've never been to the Red Door Spa - I urge you to go! It's more expensive then your local nail place - but it's soooo worth it. Next time I'll make my appt. on a day where I can also use the spa ... more on that later !
Dinner on day one consisted of me going to our local Olive Garden - with a stop at home to drop off sodas and a credit card so the kids could order pizza the next day. I ate my dinner back at the hotel, and the hubster ate part of his a few hours later (we found a fridge disguised as part of a dresser - behind doors - classy!
Day Two - I woke to a beautiful sunrise - this was the view from our room on the 38th floor.
Although I did learn that in order to have a lounger type chair - you either need to get there pretty early, or else reserve one the day before for $10. I found a table and a booth and chairs, so I made myself comfortable - if I had found an empty lounger - it would have been a perfect day all around. The hubster made it back around 3 - tried the pool which was cool, spent a few minutes with me in the jaccuzzi - which was a warm 102°, and then went next door to the Red Door Spa to check out what they offered (with our Living Social Deal we had 2 free day passes!) He was back about 90 minutes later encouraging me to go - he had to leave for yet another tennis match - so I went. The hot tub was wonderful, and much quieter since it was women only. The steam room was awesome as was the sauna. Love the robe and slippers - I could have spend way much more time here.
Dinner the final night was at the waterfront buffet. The hubster made it back in time to eat with me - it was nice. One guy cooked me a perfectly rare steak, hard to find these days when everyone burns the crap out of your meat so that there is no chance of any diseases. The seafood was good. The desserts awesome of course. I will be going back again - soon if Living Social posts any kind of deal! But until then, I'll just relax with my memories, and work outside getting the yard ready for summer - and burn off all those awesome desserts !
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Get It Done - April 2013
With all the Championship Swim Meets I had to attend in March - there wasn't one free weekend. April should be better - next swim meet isn't until the end of May - so should be able to complete a few of the things I was supposed to do - here was my beginning list of the year -
These were the Items I wanted to get done in March -
The What's Cooking challenge is pretty simple - Judy names an ingredient, and we all try and come up with a recipe using that ingredient. The ingredient for next week, Week 14, is “something with Ranch Dressing Mix”. The ingredient for the following week, Week 15, is “Cook something with Rice”. It can be white rice, sweet rice any kind of rice and it needs to be used in a dish, not something served over rice!
- Continue working on Amanda's quilt. Have at least 8 of the blocks completed
- Stay caught up on both BOM's I've signed up for (of course, April 1, I decided to sign up for yet another BOM - that makes 3 ??)
- Get the taxes ready and dropped off to the tax man DONE
- Use Plan to Eat more often and plan healthier menus
These were the Items I wanted to get done in March -
- Continue working on Amanda's quilt. (Didn't work on it at all during March)
- Stay caught up on both BOM's Behind One - Two months
- Use Plan to Eat more often and plan healthier menus - Another Big NO for the Month
- Participate in Judy's What's Cooking Challenge each week - And Another No for the Month
- Continue working on Amanda's quilt.
- Stay caught up on both BOM's
- Use Plan to Eat more often and plan healthier menus
- Participate in Judy's What's Cooking Challenge each week
- MOVE MORE - Garden, Gym, Yard - whatever it takes !
The What's Cooking challenge is pretty simple - Judy names an ingredient, and we all try and come up with a recipe using that ingredient. The ingredient for next week, Week 14, is “something with Ranch Dressing Mix”. The ingredient for the following week, Week 15, is “Cook something with Rice”. It can be white rice, sweet rice any kind of rice and it needs to be used in a dish, not something served over rice!
Friday, March 1, 2013
Pastitsio
Judy at Patchwork Times challenged us a few weeks ago to use cinnamon in a new way. While I've made Macaroni Bechamel many a time - I found someone on another blog (Spiral) posted a similiar recipe called Pastitsio - so I'm going to try it tonight. I'll substitute some ground turkey from some of the ground beef though - and take pictures later !
PASTITSIO - Greek 'lasagna'
1 lb macaroni
1 Tbl olive oil
1 lb ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
2 8-oz cans tomato sauce
salt and pepper
2 Tbl dried parsley
1/2 tsp cinnamon
4 Tbl butter
1/2 cup flour
2 cups milk
2 eggs
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Cook macaroni according to package directions.
Drain and toss with 1 Tbl olive oil.
Spread into a 9 x 13 baking pan to create the first layer.
Meanwhile, brown ground beef and chopped onion in a large skillet.
Drain excess fat from pan.
Add tomato sauce, salt and pepper, parsley and cinnamon to browned meat, and stir all together.
Simmer meat mixture over low heat for about 15 - 20 minutes.
While meat mixture is simmering, make cheese sauce layer:
In a medium saucepan, melt butter over low heat.
Whisk flour into melted butter.
In a slow steady stream, whisk milk into flour until smooth.
Increase heat and cook, mixing often, until mixture is thickened and bubbly, about 6 to 8 minutes.
Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool briefly while layering meat mixture over pasta in baking pan.
Stir beaten eggs and grated parmesan into milk mixture and combine all thoroughly.
Pour cheese sauce over meat layer in baking pan, covering all completely.
Bake at 375* for about 40 - 45 minutes, until top is browned.
Allow casserole to sit for 10 minutes before serving.
8 - 10 hearty servings
PASTITSIO - Greek 'lasagna'
1 lb macaroni
1 Tbl olive oil
1 lb ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
2 8-oz cans tomato sauce
salt and pepper
2 Tbl dried parsley
1/2 tsp cinnamon
4 Tbl butter
1/2 cup flour
2 cups milk
2 eggs
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Cook macaroni according to package directions.
Drain and toss with 1 Tbl olive oil.
Spread into a 9 x 13 baking pan to create the first layer.
Meanwhile, brown ground beef and chopped onion in a large skillet.
Drain excess fat from pan.
Add tomato sauce, salt and pepper, parsley and cinnamon to browned meat, and stir all together.
Simmer meat mixture over low heat for about 15 - 20 minutes.
While meat mixture is simmering, make cheese sauce layer:
In a medium saucepan, melt butter over low heat.
Whisk flour into melted butter.
In a slow steady stream, whisk milk into flour until smooth.
Increase heat and cook, mixing often, until mixture is thickened and bubbly, about 6 to 8 minutes.
Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool briefly while layering meat mixture over pasta in baking pan.
Stir beaten eggs and grated parmesan into milk mixture and combine all thoroughly.
Pour cheese sauce over meat layer in baking pan, covering all completely.
Bake at 375* for about 40 - 45 minutes, until top is browned.
Allow casserole to sit for 10 minutes before serving.
8 - 10 hearty servings
Get It Done - March 2013
Hmmm - February really flew by. I had to go back and see what I posted to get done during the month -
March gives me yet another opportunity to try and stay on track so my goals for the month of March
The What's Cooking challenge is pretty simple - Judy names an ingredient, and we all try and come up with a recipe using that ingredient. The next few weeks include
The ingredient for next week is:
Week 10 – Orange Juice
Week 11 – Honey
Week 12 – Squash – some kind of squash you don’t normally use.
Orange Juice .... I'm thinking scones. Of course, Honey, and I'm thinking scones again. Ever since I broke out the cast iron scone pan - I'm always thinking scones. I'll come up with something.
March is a busy month. Not only do I celebrate my birthday, along with thousands of little green men bearing me buckets of gold, but my daughter has 2 major swim meets - Junior Olympics, which I know she should do well in, and Sectionals. It's her first time qualifying for a meet like this. Most of the swimmers she'll be going up against are way much older, and probably way much faster. The meet is a good 7 hours away. So 2 weekends spent away, I'll need to find time during the week to keep up with goals #1 and #2 !!
- Continue working on Amanda's quilt. Have at least 8 of the main blocks completed (started)
- Stay caught up on both BOM's I've signed up for DONE
- Get the taxes ready and dropped off to the tax man DONE
- Use Plan to Eat more often and plan healthier menus a big NO on this one
March gives me yet another opportunity to try and stay on track so my goals for the month of March
- Continue working on Amanda's quilt. Have at least 8 of the main blocks completed
- Stay caught up on both BOM's
- Use Plan to Eat more often and plan healthier menus
- Participate in Judy's What's Cooking Challenge each week
The What's Cooking challenge is pretty simple - Judy names an ingredient, and we all try and come up with a recipe using that ingredient. The next few weeks include
The ingredient for next week is:
Week 10 – Orange Juice
Week 11 – Honey
Week 12 – Squash – some kind of squash you don’t normally use.
Orange Juice .... I'm thinking scones. Of course, Honey, and I'm thinking scones again. Ever since I broke out the cast iron scone pan - I'm always thinking scones. I'll come up with something.
March is a busy month. Not only do I celebrate my birthday, along with thousands of little green men bearing me buckets of gold, but my daughter has 2 major swim meets - Junior Olympics, which I know she should do well in, and Sectionals. It's her first time qualifying for a meet like this. Most of the swimmers she'll be going up against are way much older, and probably way much faster. The meet is a good 7 hours away. So 2 weekends spent away, I'll need to find time during the week to keep up with goals #1 and #2 !!
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