Another Food Challenge

Time for another New Food Night update.  This was another challenge meal. Mr. Rick said he had 'a hankering for some asparagus'.  And my friend Amy at Accidental Happy Baker (http://www.accidentalhappybaker.com/) challenged us to use tomatillos.

A Double Challenge!!  Are we up to it?  You decide if it was a success.

We started with a simple salad. This is where the challenge comes in. Gary made a dressing using tomatillos.  He roasted tomatillos, jalapeno and red onion in over with olive oil just until they started to turn brown. After cooling, he put them in the blender with creama, cumin and lime juice.

This dressing was a little bit thicker than what we are normally used to. It also was a little spicy. Not bad - just not used to salad dressing with a kick.

Next up was the asparagus part of the challenge.  I decided to try some asparagus wrapped in phyllo dough.  I took the asparagus and put in boiling salted water for 2 minutes then immediately drained it and put it in a bowl of ice cold water.

Now to assemble the dish. I took a sheet of phyllo dough and brushed with melted butter. I then sprinkled some grated parmesan cheese on top and cracked black pepper. Repeated this until I had three layers. I then cut the phyllo dough into 5 equal pieces and then cut it in the middle for 10 pieces. Take one piece of asparagus and roll up in dough. Place on baking sheet, brush tips of asparagus and the dough with melted butter and bake.

Serve these with some horseradish mayo dip. Take mayonaisse (Miracle Whip in our house) and add horseradish, ground mustard, salt and pepper to taste. Very tasty.

Wow!  We certainly have a plethora of flavors going on with this meal!  And they are all good.

Challenge has been met but our meal isn't yet finished.

Gary made a meatloaf. Isn't meatloaf good?  Well, some people don't think so - my father-in-law being one of them. We happen to really like meatloaf.

Miss Annette brought over some cheesy mashed potatoes. She mashed the potatoes with sour cream, butter and cheese.  Can we say good stuff?

Mr. Rick brought some rolls.

We hadn't planned on anything for dessert but a package of phyllo dough has a lot in it!  I didn't use it all so Gary did a little experimenting with it. He took the phyllo dough, brushed it with butter then sprinkled chocolate chips and butterscotch chips. Continued layering until the phyllo dough was used up.  Rick said it was like a chocolate chip cookie on crack!

There you have it.  Is your mouth watering? You missed a good meal. What will it be next week? Who wants to give us a challenge?

Fun With Grandsons

Recently spent some time with my daughter and her family in Arizona. The twins like to have fun as you can tell. So I thought I would just put our adventures into a poem for them.  Hope you enjoy it.

COHORTS

Cohorts in crime I guess you could say

My grandsons and I when I come to play.

Nothing is off limits I’ll try anything

Just having fun is what we will sing.

Donuts for breakfast I hear a twin say

Pile in the van – we are on our way.

We have code words that we like to say

Family Fun means a trip to Dollar Tree today.

We fill our cart after scouting the store

Silly String we buy by the score.

Back at the house and on with the fun

Who will be hurt before the day is done?

A new long board – how fun it will be.

What can go wrong? Guess we will see.

Help me to balance I hear myself say.

I do quite well as I go a short way.

The grandson turns away and don’t you know

I try it myself and down I do go.

In one hand already stitches I’m sporting

So now my good hand a bruise is importing.

The next day a set of new ramps does appear

The wheels in my brain engage in gear.

Talking to Grampa he says, “No way!

Off of that ramp you must stay.”

Wanting Grampa’s comics Jimmy quickly agrees

That on the ramps I must not be.

I advise that Grampa’s not there to see

He will not know if on the ramps I choose to be.

Although I think the ramps I think I could do

I listened this time to those two.

A hike in the dessert just lead the way

What was I thinking when I said OK?

All too soon our week is done

And I must stop having so much fun.

But have no worries we know for a fact

That I’ll be having fun when I come back.

Written for: Jimmy & Billy

By: Grandma (Kathie Marrs)   04/27/15

Nursing Home/Hospital Tips

I thought I would do this post on nursing homes. Not because I need one (not yet anyway) but I  thought it might be useful information.

Now I myself don't think I will ever need one. I have been advised by my daughter K. C. that if she ever puts me in a nursing home she will make sure it has video surveillance so she can check in on me. Good thing I had some grandkids come along. Lily has assured me that she will take me when I am old.  I think that's just because she wants my stuff.  Isn't it nice to be wanted?

The following is wisdom learned. Keep in mind, this information would apply equally well to a hospital stay or a nursing home stay.

One of the first things to remember is that food delivered from the kitchen is usually covered in plastic wrap. This may not seem important to you but it is. If you are in a nursing home chances are you are probably older and may be having some problems with your vision. The nurse pulls that little tray table up to you and places a tray of 'appetizing' food in front of you.  (Notice how I said appetizing? I don't know about you but I don't usually find food in the hospital appetizing).

The tray holds a glass of ice and a can of pop. Yes, I call it pop unlike a lot of people who call it soda.  Back to the topic. You open up the can and start to pour it over the ice only to have the pop overflow without even going into the glass!!  Oh yeah!  There is a piece of plastic wrap over the top of the glass of ice! Who knew??!!   When you go to put that packet of salt on your green beans it also just scatters and goes over the side. Yep, you guessed it. That small little bowl of green beans was also covered in plastic wrap. Make mental note to be sure to remove the plastic wrap at the next meal.

They have a handy little item that the nurses like to keep close to you. It's called a call button. All you have to do is push the little button and someone will come to assist you. Well, that's the way it's supposed to work. And it does work that way - it just may not be answered in a timely fashion. Now I won't say that the nurses are extremely slow in responding. They do an excellent job (I have friends who are nurses and I really do appreciate them and all the nurses who have taken care of me the many times I have been hospitalized). But there are some people, such as myself and my BFF, who really hate to bother nurses and if we push that call button we really need something right then!  Let's just say that call buttons not answered promptly could lead to accidents.

And that brings up another topic. Seating in the room.  Some places are so nice and allow for additional seating in the room. What is even better, that extra chair they have sitting in the room can be used when you need to relieve yourself!  How very handy is that?   Now this 'extra' chair brings up another topic.

Underwear -- they are not really necessary. That's right - go commando.  Makes it so much easier when the nurses are running a little slow and you are needing the extra chair.

Wow! This kind of all ties in together doesn't it? To much of the soda at lunch causes you to push the call button which if not answered promptly gives you very limited time to use that extra chair without an accident.

And there is one last piece of advise that I can pass on. There is no need to worry about whether or not you are able to use the shower. You may be at risk of falling or such and it is deemed best that you not use the shower. No problem.  I have been advised that you can lay in your chair 'buck naked' and be 'swabbed down'.

There you are - some tips on nursing homes.  Hope that if  you ever need them you can remember them.  What do you think? Will they be helpful?

A Little Taste of Italy

Who's hungry?  Not me - I just came back from lunch.  I did however, want to let you know about our New Food Night this week.

I created my centerpiece this week from my leftover Easter flowers. I love fresh flowers

Remember that Gary challenged Annette to use fennel and then she challenged him to use kale? Well, this week Mr. Rick was challenged to use Pork Burger!

So we started our meal with a simple lettuce wedge and homemade dressing.

This is a favorite of ours. And one Gary loves as it cane from his Grandmom.  The dressing is a simple one to make and reminds me of coleslaw dressing. Mayo (or at our house it's Miracle Whip), milk a little sugar a little lemon juice - taste and adjust to your preference.  Top the Lettuce Wedge Salad with some salt and pepper.  Nothing better in my book.

Now just how did Mr. Rick use that pork burger?  Well, with spaghetti and meat sauce of course!

Just a bowl of plain ol' spaghetti.

The meat sauce consisted of (I hope I remember everything he told me he used) pork burger and some hamburger. Add to this salt, pepper,  V-8 tomato sauce,  some cayenne pepper, oregano, onion power garlic powder, some wine, Italian seasoning,

Very good.  I do love spaghetti and meat sauce.

We picked up a loaf of Rosemary Olive Oil bread from Reasor's.  I forgot to get a picture of the olive oil and spices Gary fixed for us to dip our bread in (just like all good Italian restaurants give you).

And for dessert I whipped up a Pumpkin Pie bar.  Not a lot of credit here for this as it came from a mix. It was very good though and happens to be one we like.  I picked it up at the holidays when they always have lots of pumpkin stuff around.

 
Don't you like the layers of color in this dessert?


There you have it.  Our meal for the week.  If you notice I did not mention Miss Annette. That's because she was not feeling well and had to cancel this week. (Sad face here from all of us). I am happy to say that she is feeling better now though. Another challenge has been issued for the next meal. Actually more of a food craving Mr. Rick had.  LOL

Now I'm still waiting to see what you, my readers, want to challenge us with.  And K.C. - this does not mean beets!  Come on - give us a challenge - we are up to it!  Maybe a food you wonder about?  Maybe a dish you wonder about but don't have the courage to try yourself - we will be your guinea pigs.

National Poetry Month

April is National Poetry Month.  Some of you are thinking, so what?  Well, I happen to write poetry. I spent the better part of one day last week putting some of my poetry into my Dropbox Folders.  I have a folder in my Dropbox for Poems. This folder has eight sub-folders inside of it for the various divisions of poetry. I have a folder for Christmas poems, one for General, one for Religious, a big one for "In Progress" and one for Family.

My Family folder has sub-folders as well. See I write poems for my kids and grandkids. I have chronicled many things my grandchildren have done through poetry. From birth to whenever. You never know what will cause me to think of a poem.

Today is Monday - the day we have dinner with my BFF. She broke her ankle recently and had to have surgery and is currently in an assisted living facility, praying that a second surgery and recovery is not necessary. A few years ago she and I took a weekend trip by ourselves. I want to share the poem I wrote regarding our weekend adventures. Hope you enjoy the poem as much as we enjoyed our trip.

ROAD TRIP

We planned a road trip my BFF and me

Who knew how exciting this would be.

We pulled out of the drive – our trip had begun

Never knowing we would have so much fun.

Telling a story my friend said ‘crap’

Then over her mouth her hand did clap.

Now this she knows I think is a bad word

The rest of the weekend ‘oh s**t’ I heard.

We made  frequent  posts to Facebook

Knowing that our friends would all look.

We started out with some tasting of wine

Then we went over to try the zip line.

The wine clouded our thinking this is true

So over our faces our dresses flew.

Need to recover, time for some lunch

Margaritas hit the spot was the hunch.

On to the outlet stores to do some shopping

But there is a place we might be stopping.

Krispy Kreme at the entrance but we did agree

To stop only if a spot near the door was free.

How lucky for us!  A spot did appear

Only eight trips around for that spot to clear.

On to the Coach store I’m worried now you know

We left the store without a purchase this is so.

Another mall a short drive away

Headed back I hear Judy say.

“I think I have changed my mind.

I want that purse I left behind.”

 Back to our room the pool looks inviting

No suits in our bags – this could be exciting.

The pool closed early we did decide

As everyone got out when we did arrive.

Next morning we decide to ride the Ducks

But it seems that we are out of luck.

The word was out that we were in town

And our request was quickly turned down.

More shopping in store we did agree

A special purchase was made you see.

On Facebook we alluded to feathers

Something special we bought together.

Texas was playing football you know

Off to the room to see how the game does go.

Not a good game Judy needs consolation

To fend off this feeling of agitation.

We stop at Gilley’s and settle in

Our Karaoke makes their head spin.

Our performance is amazing they did agree

And repeat performances they want to see.

One more thing we want to do

We have always wanted a tattoo.

It’s a little sore but worth the pain

It’s the price we pay for our fame.

The happy pills cloud Judy’s mind

St. Louis was on that last sign.

We finally get the car headed west

This road trip has been the best.

Written for:  Judy

By:  Kathie Marrs

        October 19, 2011

                                                                              A rare photo of us together. 

Now let me ask you - is there something you would like me to write a poem about?  I'll do my best to create one just for you (Gary - I know what you are thinking and I'm kinda working on it just having trouble getting the start of it).  So go ahead - give me a challenge - what would you  like me to create a poem about?  

The Challenge Continues

This seems to be a good blog post type day. I've just gotten emails that two of my favorite bloggers have already posted today.  Let me give them a shout-out before I continue on with my own blog. If you don't already read them check them out.  First is my daughter. She has a blog that combines cooking lessons with Bible lessons. If you haven't already, check out her blog at www.moralmorsels.com.  You won't regret it.  Pass the link on to your family and friends.  Another one to check out if you are wanting a good food blog is Accidental Happy Baker at www.accidentalhappbaker.com.

Okay - now my turn.  Remember our New Food Night?

Remember last week we had a challenge?

Part of last week's challenge was that Miss Annette got to give Gary a challenge for this week's New Food Night.  She was torn between kale and quinoa but settled on kale. Gary took the challenge one step farther and used both!  This was going to be a soup, salad, sandwich meal.  Get ready to have your taste buds tantalized!

We started out with a hearty Kale Sausage Soup.  He used some good Italian sausage which he browned up. Added onion, diced potatoes, chicken stock, red pepper flakes, oregano, milk, and some half and half along with some chopped kale. This was a very good soup!

We all thought it would make a great winter soup.  Vicki - this may be our Christmas soup this year if you want to try something different.

Next up was the salad. Gary chopped up some kale and steamed it then put it in the fridge to cool. He also cooked up some quinoa. This is a rice type ingredient. I've had it once before with some salmon and thought it had a nutty type flavor. The quinoa was cooked and cooled. Then I diced up half a cucumber, an avacado and a tomato. Mix the kale, quinoa and other veggies together then toss with Italaian dressing.

It was good but probably not one of my favorites. Chris loved it!!  He ate two big plates of the salad.

Next up is sandwiches. Miss Annette took some rolls from Sprouts that she cut in half. She then added some Black Forest Ham, Genoa Salami, Italian Garlic Turkey and Provolone cheese. She also brought along 'toppings' - some lettuce, onions, tomatoes, peppers, spicy mustard and some mayo.   Yummers!! I just love sandwiches and could probably live on them.

And of course every meal ends with dessert. Mr. Rick provided us with a Chocolate Bundt Cake. We had quite a discussion on the old Coconut Macaroon Bundt Cake that we grew up with when Bundt cakes became popular.  This chocolate version was scrumptious!

There you have it - our meal for the week.   A challenge has been issued to Mr. Rick but you have to return to my blog to find out what that challenge is.  In the meantime tell me -- What would you like to have us try for New Food Night?

Food Challenge

Well, I am finally writing about our New Food Night from last week.  Remember, I had my hand wrapped up?  One handed typing is for the birds!  Do you also remember me telling you that our New Food Night for last week would involve a challenge?

One word --- FENNEL

Gary challenged Miss Annette to use fennel in some form. It was her choice what she made with it. Just let him know if it was a main dish, salad, dessert - whatever. Then he could decide what else to make.  She told us she was going to be doing an entree. I think fennel looks kind of funny.

We started our meal with a light refreshing salad.  I made a Strawberry Spinach Salad. I took a pint of strawberries and sliced them up. Tossed these with a bag of fresh spinach and small bag of slivered almonds.  The dressing consisted of sugar, olive oil, vinegar, sesame seeds, and poppy seeds. Whisk this together and pour over the salad.

Oh My Gosh!! This was wonderful!  I can see that this may easily become a favorite of mine for the summer.

Now for Miss Annette's entree. She made Pork Loin with roasted onions, carrots and fennel. This was very good. She roasted the vegetables then added the pork loin to the pan. I had never had roasted vegetables before. They were very tasty.  We did agree that the fennel flavor was hard to detect among the roasted vegetables.

Gary opted to make fresh green beans and new potatoes. He put these in the crock pot with some butter, salt, pepper and bacon bits.  This in my opinion can be a meal in itself!

We also had a loaf of French Baguette bread.  Nothing fancy here - just a store bought  loaf of bread. Sure was good - but then I like bread.

Mr. Rick brought dessert. Earthquake Cake!

This was a layered yellow cake with chocolate frosting. Now I don't know how noticeable it is in the picture but the cake tilts to one side - meaning the cake is higher on one side than the other. This is why it is known as an Earthquake Cake. These have become quite common in Oklahoma as we have become 'accustomed' to earthquakes.  It does not affect the taste of the cake to any degree. I might add that Earthquake Cake can be any flavor - it does not have to be a yellow cake.

 It was brought to our attention that no where on the cake box does it tell you how many layers the box will make.  We decided it was just a given that one box would make two layers.

There you have it - our first challenge meal!  It was a success!  And the challenge has now been issued to Gary.

I think that I am going to have to take some lessons from my friend who writes a food blog on how to photograph food. Her food pictures look better than mine. Check her out: www.accidentalhappybaker.com