Happy Tuesday! It's been a good day, after an iffy start. I was in very bad need of an attitude adjustment this morning and asked my Prayer Group at work to pray for me. What an awesome God we have!

Supper was good. We were missing a couple from the regular crowd, but we talked about them, so it was all good. LOL. We killed it too, after sending a plate (well, bowl, actually) to the favorite daughter.

Tonight was Rigatoni with Sun-dried Tomatoes and Tuna. I know - it doesn't sound too exciting to some (okay, most), but I thought it was really good! It called for red pepper flakes, which I didn't have, so I subbed Cheyenne Pepper. It had a nice little kick to it, but not too much. The recipe also called for a wedge of lemon to squeeze over all. I thought that was a little odd, but it made all the difference. Responses ranged from 'okay', to 'well, the pasta is good'. I thought it was pretty darn good myself. French bread and a Cheesecake sampler balanced it all. Yum! (I passed on the cheesecake - yay, me!)

The dog really wanted to try it, but I thought the Cheyenne might be a little much.

Next week, I'm contemplating a repeat of the Roasted Salmon Stuffed with Spinach and Feta, Lamb Chops (that's GOING TO HAPPEN one of these days) or Sweet Potato & Carmelized Onion Stuffed Shells. I might just have to buy a couple more cookbooks, too...I need fresh ideas. (There are still plenty of "Old Dominion Cooks for the Salvation Army" cookbooks left, too - only $10! :-)) I'd really like to try more vegetarian dishes in coming weeks, too.

Til next time,

L

I just got back from an incredible weekend in Blowing Rock/Boone with the Youth Group. Beautiful scenery, fun and wonderful people, and several new experiences, all thrown into 72 hours. What could be better?

I wish I'd had a better view of the skiers and snowboarders, but I enjoyed hanging out in the Lodge and babysitting the snacks. People came and went throughout the day (everyone hung out at lunch) and I had a book for the quiet times. For supper (you knew I had to mention food at some point), we went to the Mellow Mushroom. I'd heard of it, but never been to one. Fantastic pizza and good atmosphere! I can't wait to try the one in Greensboro, but I'll have to wait until I have someone to go with me. I split a large Kosmic Karma with three others, and we still have enough left over for breakfast and lunch today. This one had spinach, feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and tomato over pesto, then sprinkled with Parmesan cheese. Yum! I could SO EASILY be vegetarian.

I put off planning Tuesday night since I wasn't going to the grocery store this weekend (thanks to my wonderful son who went for me). I was thinking maybe lamb chops (never made them, don't know off hand where to get them) or something else I can't think of at the moment, but never fear! I'll come up with something, even if I beg off tired and order take out Chinese. Come to think of it, I've never cooked much Chinese, so that's a thought, too. I'll hold that for a future get-together, I think.

Anyway - thanks to the High School Youth for letting me tag along! Thanks to our DCE for putting up with me, and thanks to you for reading my random thoughts. (A special thanks to the wonderful couple who hosted us in their beautiful home.)

Til next time,

L

Tonight was so nice! We ate (more later), then we listened to my niece pick out a few songs on the piano and looked through some old photo albums and school yearbooks. Nostalgia! It was good to just visit and revisit.

I wasn't so sure about our supper tonight. I found a great sounding recipe online for Spinach Quiche and decided to try it. It came together pretty well, but it wouldn't all fit in the crust, even though I used the measurements indicated. All in all, though, it was FABULOUS! It had spinach (of course), mushrooms, sauted onions and garlic, Garlic & Herb feta cheese, cheddar cheese, eggs, milk and salt & pepper all in a prepared deep-dish crust. I only wish I'd made two. This one is definitely a keeper!

To go with the quiche, we had Angel Biscuits from a celebrity cookbook I bought years ago. This was credited to Kitty Wells. They didn't quite rise like I expected, but had wonderful flavor. My previous attempts at biscuits just haven't panned out (pun intended), but these were really good.

I think I'm going to hit the Old Dominion Cookbook for next week. I've also been tossing around the thought of lamb chops - never cooked them, rarely eaten them and not sure where to find them, but it's a thought.

Tomorrow starts the Season of Lent - Ash Wednesday. I hope to be more pensive and God-centered in the next few weeks leading up to Easter.

Til next week,

L

No supper tonight! We got our wires crossed this week. We'd originally planned on yesterday, but something came up, so I thought we moved it to today, but other's had Valentine plans. Anyway, it's all good - I ended up with an evening all to myself and a can of clam chowder LOL.

I hope everyone has a very happy Valentine's Day. Don't forget that God's is the greatest love of all.

Til next week (Spinach Quiche and Angel Biscuits),

L

February! I want snow!

Tonight we pretended it was cold outside and had Sausage and Corn Chowder with homemade cornbread. The chowder was wonderful! Once again, though, the cornbread was okay, but just wasn't 'right' - and this was a different recipe. Maybe it's just me. Oh, well...if at first you don't succeed...

Thanks to Miss Suzette for the chowder recipe - I got it from the First Presbyterian Cookbook (still available if anyone would like a copy - as is the Old Dominion Cooks for the Salvation Army one).

Last Saturday, we ate at Rodi in Gastonia, NC - Shrimp and Grits! I LOVE me some Shrimp and Grits and am glad to see it available at more and more places lately. We went down for the band, (Detour) actually - an old friend from middle school. We were really impressed with their talent and energy - and it's so much better when the musicians are having fun! I've seen a few sessions with other bands where it was so obviously just a job. These guys looked like they were having a ball and I'm so glad we got to hang out and see them for a bit. We're hoping to catch them again sometime, hopefully closer to home.

If I actually thought anyone of the Supper Club members would TOUCH Shrimp and Grits, I'd try it myself, but alas, I think I'm on my own there. (They don't know what they're missing). I would like to try my hand at more seafood, but with this crew, nothing too 'fishy'. They aren't big on seafood. I'm so tempted to have that Spinach Stuffed Salmon again, except for our 'rule' of no repeats. Maybe some baked or broiled fish of some kind, though...I had a fabulous Grilled Whitefish Sub at Sumela's on North Main Street last week. It was their special for the day, but I told them it needed to make it's way to the regular menu.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see what pops up next week - Monday this time.

Until then,

Happy Birthday to my favorite son, and Happy Valentine's Day next Tuesday! The world needs more love.

L