Is it soup yet?

Yesterday was one of my long days at work, so I arrived home late and tired. I really did not have any dinner plans so I took the easy way out and picked up a Papa Murphy's Take and Bake Pizza
We had the Gourmet Italian which was a definate hit with the "boys."

Tonight was the night for soup since the temperature took a nose dive today. I was really in the mood for Italian Wedding Soup. Now I have made this before and it was well received. This time Zac was very turned off by the spinach. So he ate the meatballs and the pasta. DH has yet to give me a verdict. I thought the soup was hearty, flavorful and bursting with meatballs and pasta. It really hit the spot on this chilly winter evening. Serve with a loaf of crusty bread and you have a hearty meal.

Tomorrow is a carry-in lunch at work. I looked through some cookbooks and just could not find any inspiration. I decided on a lemon bundt cake and I used a cake mix. I have a jar of Lemon curd in the cabinet. Maybe a glaze?

No plans here for New Years Eve. I would like to see Dick Clark back at the helm, but when I get up at 4 am and work 12 hours, I tucker out way before midnight.

New Years Day we will have Corned Beef and Cabbage. My Dad was the primary cook at my house and this was ALWAYS served on New Years Day. I grew up in central Indiana, DH in southern Indiana. He never heard of Corned Beef and Cabbage before we met. The tradition meal for him was black-eyed peas. Are there different traditional meals for New Years where you are from? Please post a comment and share!

ITALIAN WEDDING SOUP

Hectic day and dinner report

Today my DS Chris returned to Orlando. He is talking about moving back closer to home. I think he is worried that his parents are getting old.

tonight's dinner was a quick and easy casserole I picked up from Joe at Culinary in the Desert
I modified Joe's version slightly and you can see his here

I added some chicken to the mix as my DH and DS Zac enjoy meals with meat in them. I found the dish very easy to prepare and quite flavorful as well. I used some white cheddar from Trader Joe's that is only available during the holiday season. It is Kerry Gold Aged Cheddar imported from Ireland. If you live near a TJ's and can pick some up before they are gone, it is a really wonderful cheese.

Zac groaned at first and said "Yuck, broccoli." However, after he tasted it he said "Hey, this is not too bad!" So that is a plus right there if a picky 13-yo gives his approval!

Back to work tomorrow after several days off. After I returned from the airport today there was a message on my answering machine from work telling me that there is to be a carry-in lunch on Saturday. They want me to make a dessert...guess I have a reputation to uphold!!

Until next time.


Broccoli-Noodle Casserole
Modified from Culinary in the Desert

Chris 

Angus 

Buster 

Zac 

Randy and Me 

First Post on my blog!!

I hope to use this blog to help get my numerous recipes in order, to share my triumphs and tragedies, learn to use my digital camera, and to get my creative juices flowing. I will also share about family and friends and anything else I feel the need to comment on. I hope you will join me and maybe find some inspiration of your own.

I thought I would use this first post to share about my family. I have a wonderful DH named Randy, two sons Chris and Zac, and pets Buster and Angus (a white dog and a black cat respectively). DH works as a newspaper editor for a small weekly newspaper. Chris is here visiting for the holidays from Florida. He flys home tomorrow. He works in the restaurant business. Zac is a teenager and for the most part much smarter than any of the rest of us. Sometimes his vast knowledge is downright frightening at times.

As for me, I am a Dialysis nurse during the day and a budding home chef when not at work. I have a collection of cookbooks that I need to cook from and enjoy reading cooking magazines.

I will try to post some photos of me and my family.