Monday, September 26, 2016

Farfelle with Kale and Bacon

I really really did!!

OMGosh guys...
I skipped one week of blogging and it turned into two before I knew it!

I knew I was going to be busy for awhile...but it just steamrolled as this sort of stuff tends to do.

My birthday just passed, hubby took me out for a nice breakfast and a day of putzing around in stores with him and my mother in law. He even bought me a gorgeous cast iron pan...so excited!

My mother in law went into the hospital a couple of days later to have her knee replaced. She had one done a couple of years ago and is very happy with the results. 

Hubby and I took a mini vacation with my aunt and uncle, just a weekend away, but it was so nice! A couple of the cousins (4...so more than a couple) decided to join us, and then friends came up for the day as well. We celebrated one of the younger cousin's birthday while together.

On the way home, the girl child called me to let me know she was stranded on the side of the road. The brakes on her car went.
Sadly, this is not the first time this has happened to her!
When she was learning to drive, it happened while driving hubby's truck. On the plus side, I think she was a little more prepared than most when it happened. She found a great place to pull over and was able to tell us exactly where she was. We were two states away, which stunk...but my amazing sister in law and brother in law dropped everything to go get her for us.
We limped her car to the shop...and got a flat tire in the meantime. 
Craziness I tell ya!

A couple of days later, she was driving hubby's truck (as hers is still in the shop) and called to say it wasn't turning over. Turn the key...nothing. Sigh. Hubby was walking out the door to go get her and he had a thought and called her back
Hubby: "so...it was dark when you drove this morning, did you, by chance, leave your lights on?"
Girl Child: "oh...um, yes I did"
One jump start later and she was on her way home.
I was getting text messages about this as I am sitting in a work-required BLS certification class.
(yes, I did pass in case you are interested)

My mother in law's discharge was delayed due to a random phantom pain in her ankle (ultrasound showed nothing) and a teeny tiny fever. Just by a day, but she was bummed. 
She's home now and loving life. 

Off today to visit her and bring her some of her faves, just because.


Long story short....
I'm BAAAAAACK
Missed ya!




Ingredients:
8 oz Farfelle (Bow Ties)
5 Cups kale (torn to bite size)
5 Bacon slices (cooked)
1 Tbsp bacon drippings
⅓ Cup sun dried tomatoes (rough chopped)
¼ Tsp red chili pepper flakes
5 Cloves garlic (minced)
Salt
Parmesan cheese (optional)


Directions:
1. Cook pasta until almost al dente
2. With 2 minutes remaining, add kale to pasta water
3. Reserve ½ cup pasta water
4. Drain pasta kale mix
5. Add bacon drippings to a skillet
6. Add sun dried tomatoes, chili flakes, and garlic
7. Stir about a minute, or until garlic is golden brown
8. Add pasta and kale to skillet, pour in enough cooking water to ensure pasta will not be dry
9. Crumble bacon into skillet, toss to combine
10. Add salt to taste
11. Top with Parmesan if desired

Print

Adapted from Iowa Girl Eats





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Sunday, September 25, 2016

Week in Review: Week 38: Sept 18 - Sept 24 2016

Sunday Sept 18, 2016
Salad

Monday Sept 19, 2016
Ramen Noodles

Tuesday Sept 20, 2016
Pizza

Wednesday Sept 21, 2016
Cheese and Crackers

Thursday Sept 22, 2016
Chinese

Friday Sept 23, 2016
Steak Tips
Onion Rings

Saturday Sept 24, 2016
Pork Roast
Creamy Mushrooms
Rice





Sunday, September 18, 2016

Week in Review: Week 37: Sept 11 - Sept 17 2016

Sunday Sept 11, 2016
Chinese

Monday Sept 12, 2016
Nothing

Tuesday Sept 13, 2016
Pot Roast
Potato

Wednesday Sept 14, 2016
Leftovers

Thursday Sept 15, 2016
Leftovers

Friday Sept 16, 2016
Fried Clams
French Onion Soup

Saturday Sept 17, 2016
Burgers, Dogs, Chicken and Salad
BBQ with friends


Sunday, September 11, 2016

Week in Review: Week 36: Sept 4 - Sept 10 2016

Sunday Sept 4, 2016
Labor Day Cookout...
Burgers, hot dogs, sausage, and a bunch of sides.
No dinner needed!

Monday Sept 5, 2016
Pizza at Aunties!

Tuesday Sept 6, 2016
Burritos
(the girl child cooked: black beans, corn, rice, lettuce, chilis, queso, and salsa)

Wednesday Sept 7, 2016
Pork Chops
Macaroni and Cheese

Thursday Sept 8, 2016
Chicken Soup

Friday Sept 9, 2016
The girl child brought me home some mac and cheese from Panera

Saturday Sept 10, 2016
Chinese Food


Monday, September 5, 2016

Funeral Sandwiches

The name of these sandwiches drives me nuts.
I understand, as a southern girl, I have seen these sandwiches at many a funeral...but still!

We could call them something like "ham and cheese sweet yummies". What do you think?

The recipe I found on Sunday Baker calls for Hawaiian sweet rolls (which are a-ma-zing) but, sadly, my local Stop and Shop does not carry them. I was not going to run from store to store, so I bought some Portuguese sweet rolls.

The inclusion of mustard is non descriptive. I used dijon as it gives a nice taste with the sweet rolls and ham. You can use any kind that you like.

Ingredients:
12 Sweet rolls
1 Lb thin sliced ham
Thin sliced swiss cheese
½ Cup butter (melted)
3 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 Tbsp mustard
2 Tbsp brown sugar
Dash of onion powder


Directions:
1. Cut rolls in half and place in 9 x 13 pan
2. Add ham and cheese to each roll
3. Mix butter, Worcestershire, mustard, brown sugar, and onion powder
4. Pour the liquid over the sandwiches, drenching each one
5. Cover tightly and marinate a minimum of 4 hours
6. Preheat oven to 350
7. Bake for 15 minutes (uncovered)

Print



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Sunday, September 4, 2016

Happy Labor Day 2016


As we should all take a moment and reflect to the true reason for this weekend, we should also rejoice and enjoy the loved ones around us.

For decades, my hubby's aunt and uncle have hosted a small Labor Day party. It's one of the two times a year they have everyone over.
This year is a little bittersweet.

Uncle passed away a few months ago and Aunt decided she really wanted to have one last party at the house before she prepares for selling and moving.
(Thank you for your service Uncle B)

Most everyone is going to be able to attend, the girl child is working all day and another cousin has moved out of state. Pretty good turnout if I do say so myself.

No big surprise, I was asked to bring my eggs and a veggie tray.
Hubby has been craving some braised drumsticks, so I made a big batch and will be bringing some of those too.

Two of the little cousins will be coming from a neighboring state, and we haven't seen them in awhile. One had a birthday in April and the other is later this month...so we picked up a couple of little gifts for them just because.

Looking forward to seeing people!

Hope you enjoyed your weekend!

Week in Review: Week 35: Aug 28 - Sept 3 2016

Sunday Aug 28, 2016
Steak and Baked Potato

Monday Aug 29, 2016
Cheese and Crackers

Tuesday Aug 30, 2016
Steak, Salad, and Corn on the Cob

Wednesday Aug 31, 2016
KFC/Taco Bell

Thursday Sept 1, 2016
Leftover Quiche

Friday Sept 2, 2016
Made some braised chicken legs, hubby ate that
I had cheeze its and sliced swiss

Saturday Sept 3, 2016
Hot Dogs