Frugal Foodie

I think my pastor likes to be funny. So far we haven't been rolling out of the pews laughing, but he does have his entertaining moments.

Today he was talking about people think that good people shouldn't have bad things happen to them and if it does, why some folks believe it happens. He was discussing that God still cares for us and although bad things happen, it isn't because God quit caring or that he is powerless. It's because we live in a fallen world and that there are consequences to our actions. No kidding.

He then went on to share how he needed to be someplace that was an hour and a half away but only had an hour to get there. Being the brilliant person he is, he figured that if he drove a third faster than normal (he figured it out mathematically...I told you he was brilliant) he could make it. Unfortunately, that was 85 mph and police officers rather frown on one traveling so quickly. He made a choice and paid the consequence...he received a speeding ticket.

It's nice to have a religious leader who will admit to mistakes. He uses it as a way to teach us things. And it makes us smile as well.

We all have consequences in what we do whether it is to speed or skip a step in baking. If I skip a step I might not get the finished product I had planned on. Or, I am wearing the consequence of not being careful when I pulled something out the oven, not once but twice. I have two "brand" marks on my right arm where I touched the hot rack. Stupid? Yes. Have I learned my lesson? I certainly hope so. I just tell folks that my modeling career is over. Which is the truth to an extent...I am not modeling material to begin with. But, I digress.

I am thankful that we have a great pastor who is willing to use every day activities to show us a better way to live. It certainly doesn't hurt that pastor has a good sense of humor and can teach a lesson in a humorous way. I am grateful that I have had many good people in my life who have cared enough to direct me.

So, what about you? Are you grateful that you've had someone in your life teaching you?

I am very thankful for dishwashers! Remember the days when you had to hand wash dishes? Every meal and every day?

My husband teases me that if I prepare a meal and basically don't fill the diswasher by the evening, something must be wrong! LOL


In the early 80s my folks were moved by the state because a the road had to be widened. They wound up relocating and then moving back to the property they owned, and bought one of those manufactured houses. My mom had a choice of getting a dishwasher or not. She almost said no. I talked her into it thinking it would be a handy device. She loved it after the first cycle! When they downsized to a smaller home, number one in the kitchen had to be a dishwasher!

I am grateful for computers! I can't imagine how boring my life could be without having this site, email, and Facebook!

Today is Veteran's Day and although I am thankful for the Vets, I'm also grateful that my school district has decided to give us the day as a holiday.

Holidays are often wonderful days that give you a chance to sit back and reflect on this and that. And sometimes is gives you breathing room from your job so you can think and do something different for a day.

I do get a bit discouraged when I see the store advertisements harking the holiday sale. I know that they have to make money to stay in business, but sometimes the commercialism is overwhelming. Pray tell, what can one buy on Veteran's day other than a flag or flower that truly celebrates the holiday? Somehow new shoes for my non Veteran feet or a new outfit doesn't seem fitting for the holiday.

All in all, we have to take the bad with the good. So, I'm pleased to have today off and a chance to thank our Veterans as well as relax a bit.

Today I am thankful for all the delicious food I get to enjoy! Monday night we had turkey and mashed potatoes and vegetables and it was yummy. I've had turkey sandwiches the past few days for lunches and tonight we finished up the turkey and broth with turkey and noodles. We also had some of the last homegrown tomatoes. I'm already missing them because we are starting winter soon.

We are very fortunate to have so many food choices. When I think about some people who have two choices: take it or go without, it makes me humble to think I have the choice of having different foods whenever I want. And although I often grouse about the expense, we can eat reasonably and healthily.

Veteran's Day is this Thursday. I want to say thank you to the veterans who risked their all for those of us they didn't even know.

Mark Schultz has a great song about "Letters from War". He had the idea to write the song after reading a relative's diary about how she was so worried her sons wouldn't return from WWII.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuvbBwsMTgI

Today I am grateful for friends. I opened my email and found an email from a friend that made me smile. Last night we had sandwiches with some other friends. At church yesterday morning we talked with people I consider friends. Friends just are there. They like you and consider you and know what to say or do when you need it.

Do you have any special friends?

I just left the kitchen. Not permanently, but I have been fixing things. On the stove are homegrown grape tomatoes that are cooking down for marinara sauce. I have dough rising for two loaves of bread to be baked a little later. I have a turkey breast defrosting that I plan on putting in the Crockpot. So,I would have to say that today I'm deeply grateful that I have plenty to eat.

I work in a district that has many schools that are considered low income. I know that many of these children depend on the free lunch and free breakfast they receive at school. Although I grew up poor, we always had plenty to eat. It might not have been the greatest or what I wanted, but we had food. I know a local food pantry says they give out over 1,200 food boxes a month and they aren't the only pantry in the city. I think in many areas folks are hungry.

So, I'm blessed!

I am grateful I have eyesight. I love to read, I love looking at beautiful items and I love watching my darling husband. Although I have to wear glasses, I never resent having to do so -- how much more fortunate I am than those who years and years and year ago didn't have corrective lenses and saw the world fuzzily!

I admit it...I'm a worrier. I know I shouldn't worry and I know it's a sin. Perhaps even a vice.

After all the stuff in the news about plastic and certain types leeching into our food and drinks, I went on a campaign to start replacing the plastic lidded bowls with glass ones. I hit a bonanza at a couple of "antique" shops...the old Pyrex dishes as well as the refrigerator dishes with lids were in abundance if you knew where to look. I have, the in the past few months, bought an assortment in different sizes. None of them match, but that's OK.

So, that's where I safely store the leftovers because I'm too cheap to throw them away. They make great lunches. I admit, I've become the laughingstock at school, though.

A drawback of using glass is they don't fit tightly and the lids come off. My solution...rubber bands to secure them. One of my friends said she should have me come in and teach problem solving to her class after she laughed at my "solution." Hey, it works. The rubber bands are the ones that came on the paper that the paper person doesn't seem to want back. Yeah, I called and left a message when I had a ton of them and said I'd leave them on the front step. They were there after the delivery. Guess they forgot they could save money by reusing them. So, I reuse them.

While I'm in the problem solving mode I can also say teh glass dish certainly adds to the weight of my lunch bag. Maybe I'm getting a workout with "weights".

I would say I'm hitting two birds with one glass container -- no BPA and getting a weight workout too.

Today I am thankful for my job. I'm fortunate to have it and it provides me with a living to have a comfortable home.

Yesterday I started this whole thing with saying we needed to find satisfaction in our daily lives and I see many of you joined in. Cool beans!

So, today, I'm grateful to those teachers who taught me what I needed to know to become a good citizen. Some of these "teachers" weren't teachers in the sense of being a professional educator, but people who were great role models showing me the way. Kind of like that Liberty Mutual commercial that showed someone doing something nice for someone else so they in turned passed it on.

Alright, so here's you challenge...what else are you grateful for?

I'm on a roll. I'm apologizing ahead of time. Yesterday, I blogged about a book and the fact I'm thankful for what I have and that I'm not rich and have to live a certain life in a certain life style. It made me think maybe we need to learn satisfaction with what we have and perhaps a gratitude blog would be a way to do that. So, today, I'm going to add to what I started yesterday...I know some of you made comments about what you are thankful for as well. Perhaps we need to make an ongoing list to show our gratitude.

So, day one, I'm thankful for my wonderful husband who loves me beyond reason.

How about you?

I just started a fictional book on how a gal who lives in "Bedford" and was a member of high society (read snooty society) was suddenly thrown in a tailspin when her husband was arrested by the FBI for fraud. I haven't gotten to the part where she recovers, but it is interesting to read the author's take on how the once friendly folks she did things with no longer associate with her because she's poor and not deemed worthy of being a part of "their society."

Not being rich or snotty, I wonder if this is realistic fiction. I assume the author is portraying societal norms of a few.

So, while I plan on finishing this book, I did mention to my husband it made me realize I'm glad I don't feel the peer pressure to have to depend on my relationships being based on money and stature in society. My friends are not superficial based on the size of house, money in the bank, and how much volunteering I do.

As we begin November here in America, I'm trying to figure out ways to be grateful for all I have as Thanksgiving approaches. So today I would say I'm grateful that I'm not rich because I don't have to be ashamed of working. Although we all wish we were wealthy, I think it can often bring problems we don't imagine. Realizing satisfaction with what we have is far more comfortable that trying to keep up with wealthy.

For what are you grateful?

Both my husband and I are history fans. My husband more so than I -- he loves those shows on the History Channel when they talk about tanks and go down to what kind of nuts and bolts were used to fasten things. Me, not so much.

However, we have a standing joke around our house. We talk about having a "Hoover dinner." Most Friday nights I get a whole frozen chicken and put it in the Crockpot to cook over night with some vegetables and herbs. Saturday morning we are awakened to the savory smell of chicken and broth. We figure Mr. Hoover would be proud of our chicken in the Crockpot and making two to three meals out of it.

Those folks who remember some historical phrases, when Herbert Hoover was running for president, he promised a chicken in every pot. Well, I have a chicken in my Crockpot so maybe Herbert would be proud!

To digress,I would have to say with the mudslinging and hate ads going on, I would like to go back to some of Herbert and FDR's phrases while running for election; our local telelvision station admitted that 80% of their advertisement is made up of political ads. And they are downright nasty -- only one person has actually ran an ad stating what he plans to do. The rest are ripping into their competition. When this is all said and done, how can these folks try to work with each other to truly represent us?

OK, now that I'm back to the original subject, I do a lot of things with that chicken and broth. I usually make two to three meals from that chicken. I'm planning on chicken stew, chicken and noodles and a new recipe I'm itching to try: chicken and artichoke casserole. I found it in the magazine Simple and Delicious.It was shared by a gal named Amy Nutoni from Minnesota.

Chicken and Artichoke Casserole

2 cups uncooked bow tie pasta
1 cups cubed cooked chicken
1 can (14 oz) water-packed artichoke hearts, rined, drained, and chopped
1 can (10 3/4 ounces of condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup 2% milk
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp pepper
1 cup onion and garlic salad courtons, coursely crushed

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile in a large bowl, combined the chicken, artichokes, soup, cheese, mayonnaise, milk, garlic, onion powder and pepper. Drain pasta; add to chicken mixture. Transfer to a greased 2 qt. baking dish. Sprinkle with croutons. Baked, uncovered, at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until heated through.

I'm not sure if Mr. Hoover would like this dish, but he'd like the chicken in the Crockpot. And he would probably appreciate my goal of saving money -- he was around during the depression -- he may not have been poor, but he saw what it did. That's why he promised a chicken in every pot. So, as we lift our forks we'll say, "This one's for you, Herbie!"

Every so often folks sit down and starting remembering the "Good Ole' Days". And, often, these days of memory weren't so good when they were being lived, but a hard scrabble way of life.

But for many, there were life lessons learned that proved useful later in life.

I've mentioned before my folks grew up during the depression. The struggles they lived through -- going hungry, patched clothes, and doing without shaped their lives and then shaped mine. I fear for having an empty pantry in case something bad might happen -- this fear was learned through their hard lives and passed down to me.

But, I also think this fear also has made me frugal in life as well as appreciative to what I have.

I admit I spend money. Sometimes I go wild and I feel guilty when I do it. But, fortunately I have the means to do this without having to do without things.

But, looking back, some of those things that were in place years ago really did save money and make sense. Old fashioned? Perhaps.

There a quote I often think about:

"Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without."
— Boyd K. Packer

If more people did this, perhaps we wouldn't have the money troubles in the economy.

Yesterday we took the train to Chicago and on the way home, chose to buy a sandwich and a bottle of water for our supper instead of buying the pricey meal in the dining car. After finishing the water, I put the bottle in my bag to bring home to recycle. It made me think of growing up when soft drinks were served in glass bottles. When you bought the soda, you paid a deposit and when you returned the empty bottle, you received your deposit back. Talk about recycling! You didn't have to check the bottom to see if the recycling place would take it! And I maintain that a soda doesn't taste as good nowdays in plastic container or aluminum can as it did in an ice cold bottle!

Plus, we had the entertainment of looking at the bottom of the bottle. My dad worked for Coca Cola bottling company and at the bottom of the bottle would be stamped the name of the city the bottle had originally been bottled at the first time it was used. It became a contest to see who had a bottle from the furtherst place.

Today I made what I call "Clean out your kitchen lasagna." I can't give measurements for anything. I had half a pound of sausage that I had cooked with onions and bell peppers. I had bits and pieces of different cheeses. I had a partial container of cream, a partial container of sour cream, milk, leftover lasagna noodles, and a few grape tomatoes. So, I thought a casserole could be this lasagna. I did open a small can of tomato sauce since I didn't have enough tomatoes, but the white sauce was thickedn with some butter and flour and it looked pretty good. It's sitting the fridge with two other casseroles we will be enjoying this week after I get off work.

Maybe we can define the "good" in the "Good Ole Days" as the good learning that took place.

So, what are some ways you are using it up, wearing it out, making it do, or doing without?

No, I'm not practing my Tony the Tiger growling because things are not "GGGGRREEAATTT!"

I sort of lost it today. I work with another person and we are to be a "team". But yet again, this person is late. This person is late to almost every meeting. Today, one of our supervisors asked me where my "partner" was and why this person was late. I just said, "I wish people would quit asking me this because I'm not this person's keeper."

Maybe I shouldn't have said it. But I hear it a minimum of four days a week.

The supervisor said he understood and he could see why it would bother me.

Yet, I don't get it why this person is consistently late.

Overall, this person is nice, but perhaps doesn't realize how rude it is to keep people waiting to start a meeting until this person shows up.

An administrator did say something a few weeks ago about a meeting starting ten minutes before and it seemed to help, but that lasted but a few days. And the person it was directed to was none too happy to have this mentioned.

It's not my place to tell this person to be at work on time -- I'm not a boss. They roll their eyes or say something to me about the person being late, but other than that one time, nothing was said.

But, wouldn't one think that the bosses are as much to blame for allowing it to continue?

It's Sunday and I've been in the kitchen most of the afternoon fixing stuff for the coming week. I also pack my lunch for the next day because it means I don't have to get up that much earlier in the morning. Plus, I hate worrying that I might forget.

I have read many posts and blogs about folks saying they save money taking their lunches. It was always a given with me because I don't have time to go out and I don't want to get up an earlier than I have to to stop someplace and pick something up.

Are you creative with your lunches? Often I take leftovers and that's pretty good. But there are times when I don't have leftovers. For awhile, I was eating turkey and to be quite honest, I was getting a bit tired of it. I guess that sounds whiny. Sorry!

A friend of mine was talking about her tuna salad and I'm thinking I need to try it. She puts sliced boiled eggs (3 eggs, but only uses one yolk), and relish in it. That sounds pretty good.

I had some potatoes that were starting to get a bit soft and since I had fixed a chicken in the Crockpot, I had chicken broth left over. I normally freeze it so I have it on hand, but I figured it's mine and I can use it. So, I made potato soup this afternoon and put it in a microwavable mug with a lid for lunch tomorrow. It's supposed to be rainy so that sounds pretty good. DH bought a bag of apples on sale and we usually have grapes so I cleaned them and packaged the grapes in a plastic container and washed the apple and have it ready for my lunch. With a Thermos of water, it should be a decent lunch.

So, do you have the lunch packing blues?

If you read my blogs you might think I have a preoccupation with kitchen appliances and you might be correct!

It's Thursday and my fridge is looking kind of lonely. I fixed a few meals ahead this week and had them stashed in the fridge. I opened the door tonight after supper and showed my husband how bare it was starting to look. He just laughed at me.

But it does look bare. There's a little milk, some ice tea in a pitcher, and a few odds and ends here and there to eat, but last Sunday the shelves were jam packed with things that were fixed and could be heated up, or defrosting so they could be cooked.

It means the cycle starts over where I write up a grocery list for Aldi and one for the other grocery we frequent so we can begin again.

On the bright side, better a lonely looking fridge than an empty tummy, right?

I am torn. I have blogged about wanting a new stove and saving up for it.

I have been watching the ads and have also read Consumer Reports.

I think that if I catch the stove in sale, I have enough to pay for it.

There was something great about anticipating. I like looking through the Sunday ads and seeing what's out there. I have enjoyed perusing stores and looking at those sleek and shiny stoves and imagining them in my kitchen.

But, I wonder now if I should spend the money. It's not an issue of not having the money to pay bills. We do.

It's not an issue of having to have the stove...it's a want, not a need.

But, I'm torn. Do I want to keep the money in the credit union...I admit it, I like having that money in the bank and seeing the balance go up.

Or do I want a new stove enough to spend that money?

Geeze, talking about the old adage of having your cake and eating it too....

I like fall. I like it for a variety of reasons -- partially because it gets cooler. I'd like summer a whole lot more if it didn't get so stinking hot because I don't handle heat well. But, I think fall is a special time because the leaves change color and it just makes it enjoyable to watch as trees get more colorful each day.

I also think I like fall because it is a season of harvest. Believe it or not, I'm a food lover and some of the things harvested in the fall are simply delicious.

I like the aspect of baking more and using fall flavors. I try to bake things seasonally just to keep it in my mind what the season is like. The idea of a bubbling stew and a hearty bread on a cool fall day just makes me smile.

A few years ago in one of those coupon inserts a flour company had this harvest bread recipe and I clipped it and make it from time to time. It sort of tastes like stuffing which goes into the seasonal part. Hope you enjoy it.

Harvest Stuffing Bread

2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 envelope quick rise yeast
1 tablespoon of sugar
2 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon of minced onion (divided)
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 1/2 teaspoons of poultry seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups water
1 tablespoon butter
1 egg, beaten
1/2 teaspoon celery sead.

Combine 1 cup all purpose flour, whole wheat flour, undissolved yeast, sugar, 2 tablespoons onions, parlsey, poultry seasoning and salt in a large bowl. Heat water and butter until very warm (120 to 130 F). Stir into flour mixture.

Beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Stire in remaining all purpose flour to make stiff batter.

Cover and let rest 10 minutes. Turn batter into greased bread pan (about 1 1/2 quart). Smooth top of dough in casserole with floured hands. Cover.

Rise in a warm, draft free place until doubled in size, about 30 minutes. Brush beaten egg on loaf. Sprinkle with remining onion and celery seed.

Bake at 375 for 35 minutes or until done. Remove from pan; cool on wire rack. If you use a glass pan, bake at 350.

I have changed this a bit using sage because I like sage in my stuff and it does give it little more depth of flavor. Can you imagine how much a loaf of this would cost at a bakery? Once you get the basic ingredients to make bread, it makes store bought bread seem outrageous, especially at speciality bakeries!

OK, what kind of soup should I fix with this?

I'm a tear right now.

I just watched the news and I'm fed up with some church who thinks it is their First Amendment Right to demonstrate at soldiers' funerals and wave signs that say pray for dead soldiers. Not that they want prayers for the dead, but that they become dead.

They claim the was is God's was of punishing our country because people are allowed to live and be homosexual.

Personally, I'm not going to get into a lifestyle choice. And I'm all for First Amendment Rights.

But, to claim they are doing it as Christians? Sorry, folks, as a Christian, I don't want anything to do with that unloving militant group. Jesus said there the commandments could be summed up with these two ways: Love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself.

I don't know about you, but I don't think that group is being very loving, especially to a group of people who are hurting because their child, spouse, or friend was killed in war times.

And they certainly aren't very losing to those folks who are gay.

It might be what they claim as their First Amendment Right to demonstrate, but just because it might be legal (I am waiting to hear what the Supreme Court decides, that's why I'm sort of waffling here), but it is kind? Is it moral?

Somehow, I don't believe God sent this group to be this cruel to get his message across. I hate to announce to them that God is fully capable of punishing folks without man's help.

So, forgive my rant, but if this is loving, I don't think I want to be a part of THAT church!

Many of us grew up on casseroles because they were a cheap way to stretch a meal whether it was with pasta or rice or bread crumbs. For some it brings back good memories of eating with family.

So, as I am in a quest for some new casserole recipes, I am wondering, why do we still like them?

Is it to save money -- I can stretch a chicken pretty far in a couple of casseroles.

Is it because it tastes good -- I sure plan on keeping the recipes we liked and forgetting those we didn't.

Is it for ease -- making them ahead of time and keeping them in the fridge or freezer sure makes it easy to feed those you love and adore.

Or is it a memory we like to relive?

So, what is our love affair with casseroles about?

I was at a meeting yesterday and one of the gals said that a mutual friend had told her about me. I looked at her and she said that this friend had told her that I make out a grocery list and then spend some time during the weekend cooking stuff for the week. I wasn't sure if she thought this was a positive or negative thing. My perception was it was I was crazy, but that's a whole different story.

I do fix things on weekends and store in the fridge during the school year for a variety of reasons. Most nights I come in the door and have very little time to fix stuff from scratch. Although I know there are things out there you can heat and eat, I am trying to eat stuff that doesn't have a lot of salt or preservatives in them. And, they are pricey.

Plus, the temptation to go out is there when I come home tired. So, if I have something already ready to heat up, chances are I can reason it out that I need to use it for two reasons -- if it's basically fixed and just needs to be heated, it won't take long and by the time I clean up and go out, it would take longer to eat (not to mention the expense), plus that would mean I would waste what I had already fixed. It basically boils down to money.

I can afford to go out and we do eat out, just not every night.

I always feel a twinge of regret on Friday night when the fridge looks bare since we've used the casseroles, stews, etc. that I fixed for the week and the pantry has empty spots. There's a security when my fridge is full of meals ready to eat (sorry, armed forces, I borrowed your phrase).

So, after this discussion and getting a few odd looks from the people at the meeting, I now query, am I anal because I take the time to cook stuff and control what goes into it and have meals ready to eat?
Or am I just cheap?

It's my own fault. I started the whole thing and it's up to me to carry it through.

I started saving for a sleek and shiny stainless steel stove. And, I was doing pretty well for awhile.

Let me remind you, I don't need a new stove. It's a want, not a need. But, I'd like a new one to match the fridge that we had to buy over a year ago because it was dying.

I like things to match.

As a teacher, I get paid by having my last paycheck come two weeks after school is out. It is my choosing -- I could have it spread throughout the summer, but there is something thrilling about having one big check.

However, with that one big check comes the realization that I need to make that money last so I'm stingy when it comes to spending it on non necessities. And, I put a bunch of it in our money market so I won't spend it unless I needed it. So instead of putting money in my stove fund, I just kept it the money market.

Well, my stove fund hasn't grown much since July. I had added to it by selling stuff at an auction, but I've run out of stuff to sell. Either I don't want to give it up or it isn't worth selling.

The quest for a new stove has been delayed, but is, if you pardon the pun, on a front burner again because a friend just bought two new stainless steel appliances.

So, instead of denying my stove savings, I need to turn up the heat so to speak. And I just can't resist the puns! Yeah, I know, if you can stand the heat...

My husband recently celebrated his 64th birthday. On the morning, I got out my Beatles CD and played, "When I'm 64." When I posted on Facebook that I did that, many of my friends asked different lines from the song. It's interesting the things that tie us together!

We drove to a small town near us called Arthur, Illinois. Arthur is considered the home of many Amish families. A couple of friends gave my husband a gift card to a restaurant called Yoder's and we had lunch there courtesy of these friends. My husband loves his food and enjoyed the broasted chicken and mashed potatoes (real ones) with homemade gravy.

We then went to a place called Beachy's which sells products in bulk. It is also run by a local and they have cheeses made there as well as baked goods. We stocked up on some cheese, and rice, and different flours. I like to experiment with different flours and since one can buy different sizes, I didn't have to purchase a 4 or 5 pound bag of a flour I'm not sure I'll use. I also purchased some sausage ground with sage. We tried it the last time and it was delicious. We purchased a loaf of bread -- oatmeal -- and a huge draw is when they bake things there, they put the ingredients -- no preservatives. Just basics like flour, oil, butter, oatmeal, yeast, and water. The same with the noodles.

For dinner we also went out to our favorite Italian restaurant run locally. The owner picked out our steaks which were delicious. The server was generous and had bought a birthday ballon for my husband to put on the table.

We like purchasing items and eating at restaurants that are owned by local people. Although when traveling we often gravitate towards chains, at home, we like supporting our own.

As for my hubby, he enjoyed his birthday because he chose where we went and had some delicious food and many people thought of him. It doesn't get much better than that!

Today actually feels like fall in Central Illinois. We had upper 80s and 90 degree temps last week, but suddenly some of the leaves are starting to turn and it is a comfortable 65 today.

One thing I've been looking forward to is finding some soups and stews that I can fix ahead of time and then heat up when I get home from work. I was reading "Country Living" and they had a turkey chili that looked hearty as well as "lighter" because it is made with turkey. I haven't tried it yet -- I just found it this weekend, but I'm putting it in my file of "need to try soon".

Turkey Chili

2 T olive oil
1 pound ground turkey
1/2 t salt
3 large garlic cloves, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 28 ounce can whole peeled tomatoes
1/3 c tomato sauce
2 medium green bell peppers, cut into 1 inch pieces
2 medium red bell peppers, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 T sugar
2 1/2 t ground chili powder
1 1/2 t dried oregano
1 1/4 t ground cumin
1 15 ounce can each of these types of beans: pinto, kidney, and black beans, drained and rinsed

In a large pot over medium high heat, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil. Brown turkey, breaking up with a wooden spoon as meat cooks. Season with salt. Using a slotted spoon, remove turkey and reserve; discard any liquid.

Add remaining tablespoon oil to pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened. Add garlic and cook. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, peppers, sugar, and spices using wooden spoon to break up tomatoes. Add reserved turkey and bring mixture to a boil.

Reduce heat to medium low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 30 minutes. Add beans, stirring gently, and simmer 15 more minutes.

Doesn't this sound like a great fall-winter meal with some crusty bread?

I went to one of my favorite places yesterday -- the library -- and checked out a few magazines. Although I'm a month behind, the price is right, and I enjoy the fact that I don't have to deal with storing them or disposing of them (or recycling) when I'm done -- I just return them.

I have been on a tomato kick and was delighted when I found this recipe for tomato pie in the August Woman's Day. The recipe said this with a green salad makes it a great duo. I would agree.

Southern Tomato Pie

1 refrigerated pie crust (from a 15 oz box of 2)
1 cup light mayonnaise
8 oz Cheddar, shredded (2 cups)
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/4cup sliced scallions
1 1/3 ripe plum tomatoes (8-10 medium size), sliced

Place one oven rack in bottom position. Heat oven to 350.

Line a 9 in pie plate with crut. Crimp edges with a fork. Prick bottom and sides of dough in several places with a fork.

Bake 10-12 minutes until crust looks slightly puffed and dry.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, stir together mayonnaise, 1 1/4 cups of the cheese and the pepper
Sprinkle bottom of partially baked crust with 1/3 up of the remaining cheese. Top with 1/4 of the tomatoes (about 12 or 13 slices). Sprinkle with 1 T of scallions. Spoon 1/3 cup of the mayonnaise mixture on top in dollops. Continue to layer tomatoes, scallions and mayonnaise mixture to make e more layers. Sprink top with remaining 1/4 cup cheese.

Bake 30-35 minutes until crust is golden and juices are bubbling. Remove to rack to cool at least 10 minutes before cutting into wedges.


Sound good? I didn't have plum tomatoes, but believe in using what you have. I am just thinking how good this would be with different types of cheeses. And since plum tomatoes are available year round, this might be a great recipe for one of those days when you hunger for a tomato and don't have a good vine ripened one available.

I'm sorry if it seems I'm beating a dead horse...I'd much rather be beating something else and I'm not talking a drum.

I received my Hewlett Packard notebook back after the second go around with service. I turned it on when I got it home and it still isn't fixed. It was late so I didn't call. Seems Fed Ex delivers when I'm at work. I can't fault them --they are just doing their job. But it means we then have to go and pick it up after a certain time. Which we did.

Last night I was late getting home and too tired to deal with customer service. Tonight I called early enough and got a nice gal named Pam. She was very helpful and had me do this and that and it still didn't work. She wanted me to take the back off and I balked. I figure if the service center didn't fix it, my tinkering with the insides isn't going to either. I was polite when I told her this and she said then it would have to be sent back in. I expressed my frustration and she came back and said according to protocol it has to be sent in three times and then if it still comes back not working, then there's the possibility of getting it replaced, but it isn't a sure thing. I told her I had to problems with her, but I would like to talk to her supervisor.

Well, I did talk to the supervisor. He said is name was Lander. He read me the protocol. I am a teacher and people read differently than they talk. Maybe he figured he'd dazzle me with baloney or something. I waited until he was finished and said I didn't agree with his protocol and that I am one very frustrated customer. He was a bit flippant by this point. I asked what HP was going to do to make me happy and he said I would have to send it in.

Then he informed me that I shouldn't be upset because it took less than a week to get the computer returned to me. Are these folks nuts or what? Yes, it was less than a week, but it wasn't fixed. I pointed that out to him and he said, but why are you upset when it took less than a week.

I asked if he had a supervisor and he said yes. I asked to speak to his supervisor and he told me they don't take phone calls. Isn't that rich?

I told him I would be putting all this on Facebook and my blog and I asked him nicely to document it. He said OK and then thanked me for calling HP and hung up.

Gosh, just makes me want to run out and buy another HP....NOT!

It's not Thanksgiving, but turkey and mashed potatoes are pretty good anytime.

I put a turkey breast in the Crockpot with onion, celery, garlic, rosemary, and some pepper with some water. It was all white meat. Yum.

I fixed mashed potatoes with Yukon Gold potatoes and whipping cream. Double yum.

We bought fresh green beans at a farmer's market this weekend and I fixed them over the weekend. I heated them up ... made my husband very happy.

It might not be Thanksgiving, but it was a good time for turkey.

And it's never a bad time to count one's blessings, is it?