30 Days of Photos, Day 5

30 Days of Photos, Day 5: A picture of your favorite memory

Wow, seriously? My favorite memory? Of the whole 46 years on earth? That's a tough assignment. Hmm..one of the nicest moments in recent history is this one, my 43rd Birthday. All of the important people in my life were there - my whole wonderful blended family and friends. And, the highlight of the evening, Kali surprised me with a live mermaid show. It was amazing. This was less than a year before Mom was diagnosed with cancer, probably the last big celebration where she was really herself.

And that guy I'm hugging on..no, he's not Beren, but Tom my favorite bartender..a very important man in his own right. *wink*

30 Days of Photos: Day 4

30 Days of Photos, Day 4: A picture of your night



Well, this wasn't technically last night or, obviously, tonight..it was a couple of weeks ago in our Ormond Beach house. We spend many an evening sitting by the fire, from dusk until bedtime, just sipping wine and enjoying the peace & quiet. Obviously Loki enjoys it, too, and is famous for seat-stealing!

30 Days of Photos, Day 3

30 Days of Photos, Day 3: A picture of the cast of your favorite show.

You know, I used to really hate television. I always loved movies but tv, not so much. I'd catch couple of token shows here & there but otherwise I could've lived happily without the boob tube. However, thanks to the magic of DVR, I now find myself enjoying it, especially since I can watch it while on the treadmill! No couch potato guilt if I'm moving my buns while tuning in.

I'm very much a Drama kind of girl, not really into Comedy unless it's smart & witty, can't stand slapstick. The series below provides a little bit of everything - family drama, romance, and a little bit of humor as well. Plus, I completely identify with Nora Walker; from the obsessive worrying over and, dare I say, intruding into the lives of her kids, she's my kinda Mom!



And if that's not enough to make you a fan, how about this shot of one of my favorite characters?



Mmm..hmm....Sunday night, 10 o'clock EST on ABC. I'll bring the wine if you supply the popcorn.

Still to come:



4. A picture of your night

5. A picture of your favorite memory

6. A picture of a person you’d love to trade places with for a day

7. A picture of most treasured item

8. A picture that makes you laugh

9. A picture of a person who has gotten you through the most

10. A picture of the person you do the most fucked up things with

11. A picture of something you hate

12. A picture of something you love

13. A picture of your favourite band or artist

14. A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without

15. A picture of something you want to do before you die

16. A picture of someone who inspires you

17. A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently

18. A picture of your biggest insecurity

19. A picture of you when you were little

20. A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel

21. A picture of something you wish you could forget

22. A picture of something you wish you were better at

23. A picture of your favorite book

24. A picture of something you wish you could change

25. A picture of your day

26. A picture of something that means a lot to you

27. A picture of yourself and a family member

28. A picture of something your afraid of

29. A picture that can always make you smile

30. A picture of someone you miss

30 Days of Photos, Day 2

30 Days of Photos, Day 2: A picture of you and a person you’ve been the closest with the longest.

This was a challenge for me because while I still maintain relationships with quite a few old friends, we aren't necessarily as close as we used to be. So I'd have to say that my eldest daughter, Kali, is the person I've been closest with for the longest time, 26 years to be exact. *smile* And, yeah, I know I'm "cheating" by posting so many pics but, seriously, you know you can't get enough of this gorgeous creature! (That would be Kali, of course).











Still to Come..

3. A picture of the cast of your favourite show

4. A picture of your night

5. A picture of your favorite memory

6. A picture of a person you’d love to trade places with for a day

7. A picture of most treasured item

8. A picture that makes you laugh

9. A picture of a person who has gotten you through the most

10. A picture of the person you do the most fucked up things with

11. A picture of something you hate

12. A picture of something you love

13. A picture of your favourite band or artist

14. A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without

15. A picture of something you want to do before you die

16. A picture of someone who inspires you

17. A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently

18. A picture of your biggest insecurity

19. A picture of you when you were little

20. A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel

21. A picture of something you wish you could forget

22. A picture of something you wish you were better at

23. A picture of your favorite book

24. A picture of something you wish you could change

25. A picture of your day

26. A picture of something that means a lot to you

27. A picture of yourself and a family member

28. A picture of something your afraid of

29. A picture that can always make you smile

30. A picture of someone you miss

Winter Blues

Winter Witch - revisiting an old set by pixiebutt - Luv Comments! featuring tops

I guess we're all suffering from some winter blues, no? Even though I live in Florida where the sun (supposedly) shines all the time, it's still a bit dull & dreary around here. I guess the post-holiday blahs hit everyone regardless of their climate & locale.

So, what have you all been doing to chase the chilly doldrums away? I've been doing some cleaning & organizing around the Castle but that's not exactly fun now, is it? I also have pulled out my yarn basket and have been crocheting up a storm. Not only does it keep my hands & mind occupied, it also allows me to sit with Beren while he watches endless hours of football..ahem..without going out of my sports-hating mind! *wink* I've also been cooking a bit, made a really simple beef dish the other day:

Mushroom Slow Cooker Roast Beef
Ready In: 9 Hours 5 Minutes
Servings: 8

"This is tender, fall-off-the-bone roast beef with mushrooms. It's perfect as-is. Shred the leftovers for cheese steak sandwiches."

Ingredients:
1 pound sliced fresh mushrooms
1 (4 pound) standing beef rib roast
1 (1.25 ounce) envelope onion soup mix
1 (12 fluid ounce) bottle beer
ground black pepper

Directions:
Place the mushrooms in the bottom of a slow cooker; set the roast atop the mushrooms; sprinkle the onion soup mix over the beef and pour the beer over everything; season with black pepper. Set slow cooker to LOW; cook 9 to 10 hours until the meat is easily pulled apart with a fork.

Beren really enjoyed this and it was so easy to make! I served it over egg noodles with green peas but it would also be great with mashed potatoes.

Now, in order to warm up this blog a bit, I thought I'd post something fun & different!

This "game" is floating around blogland, I found it on Fat, Angry Blog as well as other places, thought I'd try it here myself....

30 days of photos - Day 1

1. A picture of yourself and 15 facts:


1. I am 46 years old
2. I am a Leo (and even if the new zodiac had altered that, I'm not buying it)
3. I was a preemie, born 3 weeks early, weighed in at 4 pounds 12 ounces.
4. Kali, my first daughter weighed 8 pounds, 12 ounces. She was 6 days late.
5. My parents were divorced before I was born (don't ask) and my mom remarried (a couple of times) so I now have a big ol' blended family!
6. I have 3 daughters from 2 different husbands but am now happily shacking up sans the legal stuff
7. I reconnected with my high school sweetheart after Divorce #2. We've been living together in non-marital bliss ever since (see above)
8. I love to cook but I refuse to believe that has anything to do with me gaining weight. Cooking didn't get me fat, eating did!
9. I love animals of all kinds. Especially cats. And wolves. (Loki made me add that)
10. I love to read and am starstuck by authors much more so than actors.
11. My mother died of lung cancer on February 4, 2009. It's not a happy fact but it is very much a part of who I am. (if you're a smoker, rest assured I'm gonna nag you go quit).
12. I love the color red. Big time.
13. I guess it goes without saying that I adore pin-ups.
14. I wear heels whenever possible, the higher the better, flats only when necessary and sneakers only when exercising. Otherwise, I'm barefoot.
15. When I was a little girl my mom forced me to have a pixie cut. It was not flattering. I eventually forgave her but in rebellion I grew my hair long..and longer..and still longer. I've recently cut it to a more manageable length more suited to an..ahem..woman of my age but you'll never see it shorter than it is right now. Rapunzel forever!

Still to come:

2. A picture of you and person you’ve been the closest with the longest

3. A picture of the cast of your favourite show

4. A picture of your night

5. A picture of your favorite memory

6. A picture of a person you’d love to trade places with for a day

7. A picture of most treasured item

8. A picture that makes you laugh

9. A picture of a person who has gotten you through the most

10. A picture of the person you do the most fucked up things with

11. A picture of something you hate

12. A picture of something you love

13. A picture of your favourite band or artist

14. A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without

15. A picture of something you want to do before you die

16. A picture of someone who inspires you

17. A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently

18. A picture of your biggest insecurity

19. A picture of you when you were little

20. A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel

21. A picture of something you wish you could forget

22. A picture of something you wish you were better at

23. A picture of your favorite book

24. A picture of something you wish you could change

25. A picture of your day

26. A picture of something that means a lot to you

27. A picture of yourself and a family member

28. A picture of something your afraid of

29. A picture that can always make you smile

30. A picture of someone you miss

So, doesn't that sound like fun? You may end up knowing much more about me than you ever thought you would..or cared to. *wink*

Have a Wonderful Weekend! TGIF!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

We spent yesterday afternoon decorating our Ormond Beach house...



We picked up a huge set of this china for $10 at a local thrift store!



Our little "Charlie Brown" tree..



Beren thinks Snowballs & beer are the perfect winter dessert!



After dinner we lit the fire pit..



Basking in the glow...



What I woke up to find this morning..



Hmm...isn't that my seat?



Happy Holidays!

An Autumn Afternoon

The Way to a Man's Heart...

I haven't been spending as much time in the kitchen since calling Jenny, and I miss it! Cooking is not just a necessary means to an end (getting food into the body), it's therapy for me. I love donning an apron and tuning out the rest of the world while I slice, dice, bake & simmer! Under the right conditions, it becomes a downright magical experience!

So, today I decided to make something special for Beren, figure he might like a change from the frozen pizza and fried shrimp he's been feeding himself lately. ..rolling eyes... I pulled out this fantastic thrift store find, a Betty Crocker recipe box, circa 1971! I remember my mom having the exact same one so this brought back fond childhood memories for me. (Can't you just see this in Samantha Steven's avocado kitchen??)





Now, I've often written about my man's less-than-healthy food choices at times and you've seen the potato chips he loves so much, so when I found this recipe I knew I had to make it for him:



Yes, those are potato chips topping that meaty, cheesy mess! Welcome to the early 1970's, folks! I console myself with the fact that at least we rode our bikes to the grocery store to purchase the ingredients(about 4 miles).





Now, I admit that I made Beren the original version of the casserole because he wouldn't have it any other way, but I also cleaned it up a bit for those of you who would like a hearty retro-style meal but without the possible heart attack! I couldn't think of a tasty alternative to the potato chips so I lightened them up, but if you have another suggestion I'd love to hear it.






Zippy Beef Casserole

-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 pound ground beef
4 ounces elbow macaroni -- uncooked
10 1/2 ounces cream of mushroom soup
3/4 cup milk
2/3 cup catsup
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup chopped green onion
1 tablespoon minced onion
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup crushed potato chips

Heat oven to 350. Cook and stir meat until brown. Drain off fat. Cook macaroni as directed on package; drain. In ungreased 2-quart casserole, mix all ingredients except potato chips.

Cover; bake 40 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with potato chips and bake 5 minutes longer.

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Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 484 Calories; 31g Fat (57.3% calories from fat); 20g Protein; 32g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 79mg Cholesterol; 1083mg Sodium.






Zippy Beef Casserole Redux

-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 serving Boca Ground Crumbles
4 ounces whole wheat pasta -- elbow shaped, uncooked
10 1/2 ounces Healthy Request® Cream of Mushroom Soup
3/4 cup skim milk
2/3 cup catsup
1/2 cup reduced fat cheddar cheese -- shredded
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
1 tablespoon minced onion
1 cup light potato chips

Heat oven to 350. Cook and stir Boca crumbles until thawed. Cook macaroni as directed on package; drain. In ungreased 2-quart casserole, mix all ingredients except potato chips.

Cover; bake 40 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with potato chips and bake 5 minutes longer.

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Serves 4 - 6, Per (6)Serving (excluding unknown items): 255 Calories; 11g Fat (37.4% calories from fat); 6g Protein; 35g Carbohydrate; 2g Dietary Fiber; 3mg Cholesterol; 560mg Sodium.

Ok, I have never seen Beren enjoy a meal quite as much as he did this one! He scarfed down two huge servings and had to refrain from grabbing a third, praising me all the while. *grin* I guess those retro housewives knew how to please their men, huh? *wink*

Happy Fall-Back Sunday!

Sorry I haven't posted much lately, I have been really focused on my weight-loss efforts over at my other blog. I'm also working on a large project here at the Castle which I'll be revealing soon..smile...

Even though I am dieting and eating food-of-my-own, I still cook for the family a few nights a week. It's difficult rustling everyone up at the same time for dinner, everyone's schedules are totally different, so I try to find recipes that I can keep warm in the slow-cooker or that are easy to heat up later.

Kali and her New Man (more about that later) are here helping with fore-mentioned household project and doing their laundry..grin...so I'm hoping they'll enjoy tonight's dinner.

Using this recipe as inspiration, this is what I have bubbling on my hearth right now:




Baked Seashell Pasta

-------- ------------ --------------------------------
8 ounces whole wheat sea shell pasta -- cooked
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese -- divided
24 ounces ricotta cheese
1 pound vegetarian "beef" crumbles
1 jar pasta sauce -- (25.75 ounce)
8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese

Combine hot cooked spaghetti with olive oil, stir until pasta is coated. Add 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese; stir to coat. Arrange pasta in an even layer in baking dish. Spread ricotta cheese over pastai. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Add veggie crumbles to pasta sauce and heat until bubbly. Spoon over cheeses. Top with mozzarella cheese and remaining Parmesan cheese.

Cover with non-stick foil. Bake 30 minutes. Remove foil cover and continue baking 15 minutes or until cheese is lightly browned. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Serves 6

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Samhain Blessings

My altar is prepared, table is set..off to have a glass of wine under the moonlight..sending Samhain blessings to all who honor this sacred eve.