Besides heating/eating meals, to make room in our upright freezer I removed the ice cube trays (seldom used). And moved the bin holding freezer packs for picnic coolers and injury treatment out to the garage.
5 Likes
This second tip is a huge “why did I never think of that?!” moment for me. Thank you!
3 Likes
Great ideas, thanks!!
2 Likes
Feeding 3 in the Boston burbs. DS has expressed interest in earning his keep (aka an allowance) and I threw “help plan and make dinner 1x/week” on his list, yay!
Holiday shopping is mostly done, though I have absolutely no ideas for what to tell them I want other than the fancy hand lotion I like. I am bad at accepting gifts, would prefer to just get what I want, but I need some ideas… anyone?
Sun: oven-braised beef with harissa (SK Keepers) over egg noodles. We didn’t love the beef - I think DH and I will eat the leftovers, but it wasn’t a keeper for us.
Mon: “all the beans” chili and gf cornbread on the side
Tues: my work holiday party (solving a murder mystery!), guys will have tortellini with red sauce
Weds: chicken enchiladas, green beans
Thurs: burgers, fries, roasted broccoli
Fri: nachos to celebrate the last day of school and penultimate day of work. Our year-end shutdown starts on the 24th, and I’m trying to crank some stuff out this week so that I can save the 23rd for Project Clean Out My Inbox, which is scary huge right now.
14 Likes
Just grading, grading, grading… until all the grading is done and this semester is behind me. Lots of easy comfort food on the menu.
For two adults in San Diego:
Breakfasts: Scones with more advent calendar jams. Favorite from last week = four fruits, a classic. Surprise from last week = red raspberry with rose. I usually dislike anything floral, but the rose here was used quite deftly to sweeten the raspberry.
S: Takeout - Green Chile burrito
Su: (tonight) Red sauce, TJs turkey meatballs, spinach, and cheese, garlic toast to scoop it up.
M: Spinach ravioli (purchased) in pesto cream sauce with spinach and peas - vegetarian
T: Shrimp fried rice with egg rolls - seafood
W: TJ’s beef tamale topped with sauce and cheese, served with salad.
Th: Chicken tortilla soup - soup
F: Chicken enchiladas, rice, beans
Have a good week!
12 Likes
Wish list ideas - is there a cookbook or 2 on your wish list, or could you ask for a gift certificate toward a cookbook. Someone here mentioned they always ask for a set of metal measuring cups. Tickets to a play / music event. A paella pan. Certificate for a massage. Bottle of your favorite wine.
I got myself a new/replacement hand mixer in 2020 at Christmastime, thinking that mine was on its last legs. It is still in the box and goes under the tree every Christmas, as a reminder that if/when my mixer ever does stop working, there’s a shiny new red one waiting.
9 Likes
Are there any practical things you want that are just boring (or indulgent) to get so you haven’t? I bought someone a Nutribullet a few years back and they were so excited it was almost weird, but I totally understood! For me, it would have been the Braun immersion blender set upgrade I finally got myself last year. Not expensive, I just didn’t think I really needed it because the old one still worked, but if I had put it on my list I would have had it a few years ago, lol.
Another thought is services – a massage and/or facial series at a nice place nearby, just so you have to do it instead of thinking it would be nice to go. Or home services – someone else making dinner, or doing chores, or an occasional meal service like Blue Apron or something.
My aunt asks for experiences these days. Last year she went to afternoon tea with one part of the family, a play and dinner with another, and so on.
9 Likes
The deal with your DS is great on so many levels.
Did you get your jammy night while away, or did there end up being a work dinner?
As for gifts, are there any books or cookbooks you’ve been wanting? Special jams or other foods that you rarely buy yourself? Starbucks giftcard or something similar?
2 Likes
I always love services gifts. There is already too much “stuff” in the house, and I appreciate an experience that I might not have given myself.
5 Likes
I love this story! Also the idea that your current mixer is on its best behavior because it knows its replacement is waiting in the wings…
10 Likes
My jammy night was actually a mediocre early dinner at the hotel restaurant (because it was -10F outside and I couldn’t make myself go across the street for Mediterranean takeout) but I was in my jammies, in bed, by 7:30pm!
I love all these gift ideas - I added an ATK cookbook/membership to the list of ideas. I’m also giving them the sneakers I just bought myself so they can wrap one more thing. 
I do like the idea of experiences; we usually get ourselves tickets to a big sporting event as a gift from everyone to everyone, but Book of Mormon is coming in April…
10 Likes
This past Monday: Indian take-out: chicken 65, lamb Rogan Josh, cauliflower Manchurian, South Indian Sambal, naan, paratha. I ordered too much, and the resto didn’t have 3 times I had ordered online, so the chicken 65 replaced the chicken tikka, the Sambal lentil stew replaced the kidney bean dahl Makhani, and mutter paneer (peas and paneer cheese) replaced the eggplant Baingan Bharta.
Yesterday/ Tue: cornflake crusted chicken thighs and a Macaroni Gratin with old Cheddar, Emmenthaler and Parmesan.
Wed: Cheese Chile Rellenos (from a restaurant), green salad
Thu: Caldo Verde, gnocchi with tomato sauce, probably Italian sausage
Fri: English Fish Pie with halibut
Sat: Steak
Sun: to be determined
12 Likes
I was just working on my weekly menu and comparing it against the items on sale this week, then it dawned on me that Christmas is one week away.
7 Likes
Here’s my list for the next week or two with some carryover. I’m thinking a Dr. Pepper glazed spiral ham and potatoes gratin for Christmas. Might have to roast some beef as well to placate the hubs.
12 Likes
Are those the cacio e pepe twice-baked potatoes from What Goes With What? If so - LOVED them!
I saved this recipe, but will try to find that one!
ETA: looks like this one
Yes, that’s the recipe from WGWW. Good sleuthing! I usually make it with just 3 potatoes but full amounts of cheese etc. And rather than halving the potatoes, I cut off the tops and scoop, so there’s more structure to re-stuff. The first time I made them, DS asked immediately if we could have them again the following week…
4 Likes
It’s been pretty quiet on the homefront these days since I still have a stubbed toe to deal with. I stubbed it while vacuuming two weeks ago and it still hurts so it’s time to get an xray. I tried calling my family doctor but he is fully booked this week and his office will be closed next week and the week after so I guess I will have to go to emergency. I will take a really thick book and snacks then wait and wait and wait…
Onto my menus for this week:
Today: I got take out from the deli again - chicken in a creamy pesto sauce. I love this dish but I’m ready to explore more dining options in the neighbourhood. Hopefully I will be up to walking a little further afield in January… Dinner tonight will probably be a squash and potato soup with smoked bacon and Gruyere.
Saturday: I will forgo the planned trip to Costco today until I get my toe sorted out. In the meantime I will work on emptying out the freezer a little more. I will have the last serving of bbq’d pork in the freezer with a vegetable chow mein. Probably the usual recipe. Although I printed a couple of recipes from the net a few weeks ago so I will have a look at them and see if I feel like something else.
Sunday: Chicken wing stew. I found this recipe awhile ago using a Google search and it is surprisingly good.
Monday: Thai cod green curry.
Tuesday: One of the butchers in town makes turkey dinners for one so I will pick it up today and have it for dinner tonight. I will be having Christmas dinner out with my dinner club tomorrow and the restaurant we go to usually has turkey on the menu on December 25th but I like keeping my options open. Their lobster mac 'n cheese is awfully good.
Wednesday: Merry Christmas! Off to the Shore Club for dinner.
Thursday: I have mall shopping penciled in for today but it depends on how mobile I am.
Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to those who are celebrating!
10 Likes
I have fractured various toes over the years, and sadly there is no solution other than to let it heal, even once they confirm with an x-ray (actually I don’t know why they bother with the x-ray because they don’t do anything different once they confirm the fracture).
Sucks when it’s cold because shoes are a necessity, but in the summer people tend to step on you more, so that’s the tradeoff. They used to suggest taping them together, but the last time I did it they said the only value to taping was that people could see something was hurt and might be more careful about bumping / stepping, but that wasn’t much consolation.
4 Likes
I agree totally which is why I’ve been putting off seeing a doctor. I’m going more for assurance more than anything and I’m expecting the doc will tell me to just continue keeping my foot up. It sucks being “sick” on Christmas vacation ( my holiday starts today) but if I have to stay at home at least I can get caught up on my reading. I’m trying to think positive…
7 Likes
