September: National Chicken Month

An InLinkz Link-up

Pi(e) Day 3.14

To celebrate Pi day, I have done a round up of some of my fave pies!

Pies do not have to be sweet, I love a great savory pie as well.
What is your favorite type of pie?

An InLinkz Link-up

Happy Thanksgiving 2017

I hope everyone was able to spend their day with friends and family!

We certainly did. The yearly pilgrimage to my aunt & uncles with food in tow!
It was wonderful, it was one of those alternative years where we got most everyone who has to make the rounds with in laws.

So many different personalities meshing, no arguing, just enjoying.
Football and food comas.

Once again, we had way too much food, but, leftovers are always welcome!

This year I made

Deviled Eggs
Mashed Potato
Creamed Spinach and Mushrooms
Corn Casserole (in the interest of full disclosure, the girl child took this over this year!)
Pecan Pie
Key Lime Pie


What did you make?
What happened to make this year memorable?

Ghosts of Thanksgiving Past
2012
2013
Anti-Thanksgiving
2016

National Ice Cream Day 2017

Did you know that the third Sunday in July is "National Ice Cream Day"?!

I feel so...in-touch right now!

I can't keep up with days for everything, but it's fun every now and again to play along with one that feeds your need for a sweet treat

Now, my big question for the day is...

It seems to be a New England, PA sort of "thing" to call them jimmies. To me, sprinkles are the candy sugar I use to decorate cookies!

When we moved down south (oh so many years ago) my 3 year old sister ordered ice cream with jimmies. Everyone in the store looked at her like she was nuts. Not sure where my 11 year old brain came up with it, but I said "oh! she means sprinkles".

Problem averted.

It wasn't until a couple of years later that I learned that particular group of southerners used the term jimmies for condoms! (gasp!) I can only imagine what they were thinking when this peanut kid asked for them!

So...

What do YOU call them?

My vote will always be for:

Who knows what's going on one day to the next?

SO much happening!

• Hubby is still healing from his back surgery
• The girl child just had her wisdom teeth out
• I have a root canal coming up
• My parents are coming into town
• We might head out for a few nights at the beach
• Hallmark Christmas in July starts 7/14 (OMG!)

It's chaos let me tell you!

That's OK though, I won't be too far from my computer.

Not sure how much I will be posting, if anything.

Just bear with me, I will be back soon!

Cinco de Mayo 2017

Cinco de Mayo is upon us soon!

It is officially the celebration of the Mexican army's victory over France.
We tend to celebrate with Mexican-American foods and drinks.

Celebrate how you see fit...
Me, I see a lot of melty cheese in my future.
MMMM

Here is a round up of some of my Mexican-American (korean?) fave foods, tell me what you plan on making!

An InLinkz Link-up

Easter 2017

To all who celebrate...I hope you enjoyed yourself!

As is the yearly tradition, we headed to my aunt's to celebrate with family.
This year, two of the cousins are bringing their significant others for the first time.

One cousin, K, decided to have a little fun. When H (girlfriend) asked him what we usually have to eat, he got all serious and decided he was gonna "sell her" on our Easter. He was like "oh, it's great...we get fresh kielbasa and boil it. It's a very lovely shade of gray once cooked. Then we get eggs and dye them with onion peels, they come out flat brown"
At this point she had a what did I get myself into look on her face.
My aunt said she couldn't stand it anymore, she started laughing.
I get it, we have some odd foods for Easter, but, that's what memories are made of.
(click here to read more about our traditions)

Hubby has just had his surgery, but he was determined to go. He ended up lasting about 2 hours. Pretty impressive if you ask me!

Due to, well, life...our "guest list" is smaller than usual this year, so Auntie is being very specific about what people are bringing, she doesn't want 100 lbs of leftovers.
This year I have been asked to make
Baked Beans
Coconut Pound Cake

Hope everyone had exactly the day they hoped for!

Nostalgia: Time for Timer

Do you ever have dreams that are actual memories?

I had one the other night and I could clearly remember sitting in my Grandpa's armchair watching TV with a bowl of ice cream and having this commercial come on.

So clear in fact, I remember that it was chocolate/vanilla ice cream, and I felt like the bites were "uneven" in flavor, so I stirred it all together making a big gloppy mess in my bowl.
Sigh. The logic of children!

It just made me smile a little...and, of course, I had to go find this commercial to watch again!

Happy New Year 2017

What a year it has been.
As with every year, it's a roller coaster with all the loop-de-loops.

Last year I resolved to try to cook more than I relied on take out or ready made foods. Many of you followed along with my "Week in Review" series and I appreciate it!

This year, I think my food resolution will be to revisit some of the old recipes.
Hubby and the girl very much enjoy trying all the new recipes, but they ask for old faves every now and again.

That being said, I am going to flip all the way back to the beginning of this blog and make some of the most requested by friends and family.
I think a weekly challenge should be manageable...with the exception (of course) if a random vacation manages to get in the way.
(I could be very OK with this)

Let's call it "Retro Reviews"
Let's see if we loved it then and love it now!

Do you make yearly resolutions?

Christmas 2016

I truly wish that everyone enjoyed their holiday and made some wonderful memories.
For those who are struggling with the holidays due to those who cannot be with us anymore, please remember they are sharing the holiday in your heart.

We do Christmas Eve at my house with hubby's side of the family and some friends. This year there were 13 of us and we ate, drank, and made quite merry!
Usual traditions include using stockings that my mother in law and sister in law made (many years ago) we do small gifts for everyone.
Not to mention, having A Christmas Story on loop as soon as it starts.
We have one friend who stays after everyone else leaves, and we all visit for awhile. The girl child is then forced into bed so Santa can come.

Food:
Cowboy Caviar
Reuben Roll Ups
Ham
Spinach Balls
Christmas Tree Bread
Cheese Tray
Chips and Dip
Gingerbread Brownies

Christmas Day is always at my Uncle and Aunt's house.
We do a yankee swap and just enjoy the day together.

This year one cousin and his family went to his wife's side because a family member is moving to the west coast just after the 1st.
Guess we can allow this :)

Now we are home, wading our way through Christmas mess, cleaning up as we go.
Love this season and every chaotic minute.

I hope you loved yours too!

Happy Thanksgiving 2016

Happy Happy Turkey Day to you all!

I hope everyone got to spend quality time with friends and family today, I sure did!

Today started off with a bang...woke up with the start of a migraine. Panic mode!
Fortunately, I was able to stave it off to be able to make what I needed to make what I needed to make and get through the day. Hubby and the girl child pulled all the prep work together for me in order to keep me back on my track.

As the years go by, and the kids get older (not to mention losing the ones we love) and have their own families to celebrate with, the group gets smaller.
This year, we were about 50% of our normal. Very quiet.
Though, my aunts and I have yet to master the art of COOKING for 50% less people.

Oh...my...word...the food.

We had everything one could ask for in front of us. The abundance was a slight bit shameful.

My contributions this year were:
Deviled Eggs
Mashed Potato
Dill Salad
Carrots
Sweet Potato
Corn Casserole
Pecan Pie
Key Lime Pie


I was bringing the mashed potato.
Could you imagine if my head prevented me from going today?
It's one thing if you tell the host that "oops, the carrots can't make it" but the mashed potato isn't making it? That's Thanksgiving sacrilege!

I could go on and on about cute things that happened, or funny moments...but I know you all had your own!

I am thankful for everyone around me.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

The Anti-Thanksgiving Post

At some point on Thursday or Friday...after everything a whole bunch of cleaning and digesting...I will discuss how fantabulous my Thanksgiving was.
How could it not be?
It will truly be epic. It always is!

But in the meantime...let me let you peek in a little bit on my private life.

My name is Jay and I am a picky eater.
Not just a little picky: massive, annoy all my family and friends kind of picky.
Amazingly, it just seems to get worse as I get older.
Yay me. (please note the deadpan obvious sarcasm)

An article popped up in my FB feed from thekitchn.com and it hit home oh-so-much.
5 reasons why (someone other than me!) hates pumpkin.
This article started my spark. I had to fill people in on why Thanksgiving is one of my least favorite food holidays.

My co-workers actually had me run down the list of Thanksgiving foods and my thoughts on all of them. They are also amazed at the amount of stuff I bring to my own Thanksgiving...but, this is the only way to ensure I actually will eat something, (my dishes will be in red)

Turkey: I do not like turkey. I do not eat meat on the bone, Strike 1 and 2 all wrapped up into one featherless friend. At Thanksgiving I will have 1 bite of skin. Done.
Stuffing: Do not eat
Gravy: I like gravy, but not all gravies.
Bread: If they are not burnt, I will eat this.
Carrots: Simply spiced
Stuffed Celery: YUM!
Pumpkin Bread: See link to article above
Deviled Eggs: I would eat them...if I could get to one before they are gone!
Mashed Potato: Forget the turkey, to me, this is the star of the day (but only if I make them)
Sweet Potato: Never tried one. I make them every year, but have never eaten any, My dad has been critically allergic forever, so, we just avoid them.
Relish Tray: No olives for me, I can live without pickles.
Corn Casserole: love love love
Green Bean Casserole: only like this if it is actually made with french cut green beans
Turnip: why, oh why, do people eat this?
Squash: I eat no squash of any kind
Creamed Onions: only if sliced, and not in a glue like gravy.
Dill Salad: mmmmmm
Apple Pie: not a huge fan, but I avoid it for the most part (as I do most desserts not made by me) due to my own artificial sweetner allergy. Easier not to eat it than hope people remember if they used real sugar or not.
Key Lime Pie: No citrus for me
Pecan Pie: The one time of the year I actually get a piece
Pumpkin Pie: see article above

Do you all feel enlightened now?
What is your most fave and/or least fave part of Thanksgiving?

Week in Review: Week 7: Feb 14, 2016 - Feb 20, 2016

Sunday Feb 14, 2016
Steak
Eggs
Home fries

Hubby made me a romantic Valentine's Day brunch.
We very lazily ate it at the coffee table, watching Food Network LOL

Monday Feb 15, 2016
Corn Bread
Potato Salad

Steak
Mashed Potato 
Corn

Tuesday Feb 16, 2016
Burgers
Onion Rings

Wednesday Feb 17, 2016
French Onion Soup

Thursday Feb 18, 2016
We went out to dinner with my mother in law and my aunt (in law).
It was a nice time catching up!

Friday Feb 19, 2016
Frozen Pizza

Saturday Feb 20, 2016
Mashed Potato Cakes

Can't we just leave McDonald's ALONE?

OK, I am totally annoyed by this whole Facebook THING where people are sharing that picture of the Happy Meal from 2010.

Look familiar?

The original poster is doing her best to "spread the word" about all the crap our kids are ingesting.
It is going viral like wildfire...

If you stumble on her facebook posting, you see all sorts of lovely comments where other people have tagged supposed friends and family making not-so-nice comments along the lines of "see what you are doing to little Susie/Johnny".

Thanks friends people. I really appreciate the unsolicited parenting advice.

Back to the topic at hand though.
Snopes.com did research on this topic (as well as quite a few other independent sources) and came up with a big fat FALSE.
They compared to even homemade burgers.
Long story short, the issue is moisture. Mold needs moisture to grow. Due to the thin-ness of a lot of McDonald's food products, the moisture evaporates before mold is able to grow.

I am not here to claim McDonald's to be healthy, but I think it gets a worse rap than it deserves.

We all ate McDonald's as kids.
Then our parents sent us out to the "dangerous and scary" playground where we did this silly thing called playing with other children.

*Gasp* we even played in structures that looked like this!

McDonald's is targeted to busy families and definitely plays towards enticing kids. I get it. Cute characters like these make any kid smile.

(yes, I know I chose a picture of old timey McDonald's characters, but they are nostalgic)

It's not healthy...which is why it should only be consumed in moderation.
McDonald's (or BK, or Wendy's) is not to blame for childhood obesity. Stop using it as a scapegoat.
It's not going to kill you.

I just feel that McDonald's has enough to gripe about without people adding unnecessary stress to the pot. Just let it be people.
Eat responsibly.

If you don't want fast food, don't eat it.

Soapbox signing off.

Almost afraid to ask..but how do you feel about all of this?

Week in Review: Week 6: Feb 7, 2016 - Feb 13, 2016

Sunday Feb 7, 2016
Deviled Eggs
Garlic Knots
Peanut Butter Chocolate Dessert

Monday Feb 8, 2016
Pork Roast
Twice Baked Potato

Tuesday Feb 9, 2016
M and M Cookies
Almond Chocolate Chip Loaf Cake
Red Velvet Brownies
Leftover Pork Roast and Twice Baked Potato

Wednesday Feb 10, 2016
Beef and Veggie Stir Fry
Asian Cucumber Salad

Tonight's WONDERFUL meal was made, served, and cleaned up by my fantastic girl child!

Thursday Feb 11, 2016
Ravioli and Italian Bread

The ravioli were totally store bought, but it was an awesome, yummy, easy meal!

Friday Feb 12, 2016
Baked Potato
Sausage
Cheesy Bread

Hubby and I were both UGH about cooking, Nothing about ordering out sounded good. He offered to cook, and it was a medley of things he felt like eating. I am TOTALLY not complaining about a meal served to me!

Saturday Feb 13, 2016
Potato au Gratin
Salad

Blogging for Books: Fast Food Manic by Jon Hein

** Note** I was provided a free copy of this book by www.bloggingforbooks.com in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

So, normally I review cookbooks, but this time I decided to deviate from the norm. The premise was interesting so I decided it would be a different sort of read.

I wasn't in love.
It really felt like a bunch of Wikipedia articles smooshed together with a random memory or two thrown in.
All the facts were there, which was semi interesting...but nothing that really kept my interest.

Each "chapter" was a new fast food joint. There was a pseudo message board picture at the beginning telling what each restaurant was known for, and what was a must have.
I stopped reading these almost immediately.
If I have been there, I already know what to order.
If I have never heard of it, or it's not in my area...what do I care?

Maybe I would have attached myself to this book more had there of been more personal references. He had a Roy Rogers birthday party that seared itself into his memory. Why don't I know more about it than that one fact?
I am also aware that he ate a lot of Domino's and had a McDonald's in his backyard. That's all the personality that was infused into this book.

All in all, I don't feel like I wasted my time reading this, I just feel like he could have done more with it than repeat facts.

Week in Review: Week 5: Jan 31 16-Feb 06 16

Sunday Jan 31, 2016
Meatloaf and Roasted Potato with a Cucumber Salad

Monday Feb 1, 2016
Fish Sticks with Macaroni and Cheese.
(another hubby cooked nights)

Tuesday Feb 2, 2016
Tomato Soup
In the interest of full disclosure, I was out with a friend...hubby made himself a can of tomato soup. I just happened to "steal" his leftovers.

Wednesday Feb 3, 2016
Nana's Egg A Muffins
Hashbrowns

Thursday Feb 4, 2016
Sausage Subs

Friday Feb 5, 2016
Chicken Fajitas
Refried Beans

Saturday Feb 6, 2016
We went out to dinner at a local Mexican restaurant with Auntie A and Uncle L to celebrate the girl child's birthday. Her day, her choice!

Week in Review: Week 4: Jan 24 16-Jan 30 16

Sunday Jan 24, 2016
Hawaiian Kielbasa
Mexican Sour Cream Rice Bake

Monday Jan 25, 2016
Homemade Mozzarella Sticks
Salad

Tuesday Jan 26, 2016
Pot Roast and Mashed Potato

Wednesday Jan 27, 2016
Frozen Pizza
(Feeling justified. Been cooking a lot this week. Actually, had a rough day at work and so I wasn't going to cook...but hubby stepped in and did this for us)

Thursday Jan 28, 2016
Country Vegetable Chowder

Friday Jan 29, 2016
Steak Tips and Onion Rings from a local restaurant

Saturday Jan 30, 2016
Leftover Country Vegetable Chowder

Week in Review: Week 3: Jan 17 16-Jan 23 16

Sunday Jan 17, 2016
Baked Chicken and Peppers
Green Beans
Carrots
Scalloped Potatoes
Cole Slaw
Cinnamon Sugar Squares
(In the interest of full disclosure, we had dinner at my aunt's, she made the first 4 items)

Monday Jan 18, 2016
Boiled Potatoes
(hubby was sick, and the girl child and I decided this sounded yummy...and it was!)

Tuesday Jan 19, 2016
English Muffin Pizza
Salad

Wednesday Jan 20, 2016
Stuffed Chicken Breasts (frozen, store bought)
Rice-a-Roni
Creamy Dill Carrots

Thursday Jan 21, 2016
Pasta Pie

Friday Jan 22, 2016
Ramen noodles...because, well, sometimes they are just YUMMY
Sugar Cookie Bars with Buttercream Frosting

Saturday Jan 23, 2016
Omelette and Sausage

Week in Review: Week 2: Jan 9 2016- Jan 16 2016

Saturday Jan 9, 2016:
Salami and Cheese roll-ups

Sunday Jan 10, 2016:
Pancakes and Sausage
Asian Salad
Sour Cream Dill Rolls
Greek Beef Stew

Monday Jan 11, 2016:
KFC
(out and about running errands, hubby was craving it)

Tuesday Jan 12, 2016:
Snacky type stuff.
Nobody was really hungry, so we just picked.

Wednesday Jan 13, 2016:
Pineapple Shrimp
Fried Rice

Thursday Jan 14, 2016:
Vegetable Soup

Friday Jan 15, 2016:
Hot Dogs and Beans

Saturday Jan 16, 2016:
Pizza
We did order out, we had people coming over, and this was majority choice.