A FRIDGE FULL OF FOOD...

Cinco De Mayo: Shredded Beef Tacos & Enchilado Casserole

This is one of those "it would only happen to Glenna stories". After New Year's Eve where we sort of threw together a last minute party of sorts, I talked to several people who all said "I would have brought something but I just didn't think about it.  We must not have anyone left on nights who likes to plan stuff."  I said, "Well, I'm your girl. I do like to plan stuff and I did think about it but I didn't want anyone to think I was being pushy since I haven't been on nights that long."  They assured me that they'd welcome the planner in me being let loose.

Have you ever noticed that winter, following that huge slew of Halloween takes us to Thanksgiving which takes of us to Christmas which slides on into New Year's Eve known as "THE HOLIDAYS", there's a real dearth of anything to celebrate?

My FIRST Profile...

I have to admit this is very exciting stuff to see your name and words in print.  From our local hospital employee magazine, my understanding is this went out to about 10,000 southwest Missouri employees in my hospital system.

It's also EXTREMELY motivating...excuse me while I go work on my novel....

I Doubt this is How the Amish Do it: Spicy Cocktail

What do you get when you shake 1 part Amish Brandied Peach Juice plus 1 part water plus 1 part Cap'n Morgan over ice?  A lovely dessert martini.  Add a kebab of fruit and you can even pretend it's healthy.

(Matt, I told you I was going to do this!)

Happy Birthday

             Happy Birthday, Auntie Miranda!

Look Who Got to Go to The Amish Country Store

Auntie Miranda and I took off for Branson this past Thursday to go play for her birthday which is coming up this week but we wanted to celebrate early. We started out at The Amish Country Store in Branson, one of our favorite food places to shop.  I've blogged about the store before but this time they had even more fun treats to play with. This time I got some of my standards and more:  mixed bean soups, Mrs. Smith's noodles, fresh baking powder, flavored twists for Jordan and Sydney in their favorite colors, green and purple respectively, oats for granola (still have plenty of dried fruit), brandied spiced peaches for Gene for cobbler, sweet tomato preserves,  dates, white chocolate sauce, pomegranate juice for Gene, brown sprinkling sugar, Brown Buggy ham & bean soup, pickled asparagus, spiced apple rings, dried herbs and veggies, and in the middle flipped upside down are candies made in the shapes of legos.  Have NO clue what I'm going to do with them but I'll do something for a niece or nephew birthday, I'm sure.

Matt was minding the The Store, filling us in on all the new products and being a sweetie pie like always but Auntie and I were also excited to meet more of Matt's family, his mom Darlene, and Uncle Mark.  Really lovely people. Next time you stop in be sure to say "Hello" for me.

Book Buying Spree

Can you tell I went on a little spending spree yesterday?  Hmmm...funny...it was supposed to be Auntie Miranda's birthday day but I ended up "winning" by spending the most cash.  We pretty much circled the Springfield/Branson map. More about the rest of our adventures (The Amish Country Store!) tomorrow but for today look at my treasures from Barnes & Noble:  The Advanced Professional Pastry Chef,  The Bread Baker's Apprentice, and The Bread Bible.  I can't wait to dig in to these tomes. I feel like a wiser cook just by having them to reference.

Is it Christmas already?  Cuz, it sure feels like it!

Just for Fun: What Kind of Cereal Are You?

You Are Granola

You are creative and inventive. You don't do much the ordinary or normal way. You like to explore new ideas and lifestyles. Something isn't for you just because other people do it. Quick breakfast fixes are definitely not your style. You're the type most likely to cook yourself an amazing homemade breakfast.

What Kind of Cereal Are You?

Lunchbox Favorites: Leftovers Done Right

Leftover from dinner the night before, I took fresh corn over whole wheat cous cous to work last night along with fresh cucumbers and cherry tomatoes with a balsamic dipping sauce.

Yeah, too bad I forgot I had it in the fridge and bought a chili dog from the crapateria.

But you know what? It worked out in the end. I got too busy to eat so at least I didn't have the heartburn or have to write that one up on my food diary!

Doctor's Kitchen Monday: Back on the Wagon with Grilled Chicken, White Whole Wheat Bread, (And Fried Corn?)

Spent the weekend in St. Louis with old friends.  Old friends who are a bad food influence (kidding!). Actually, I fell off the wagon when I drove home from St. Louis by myself and somehow a bunch of junk food ended up in my car, munching on that and listening to a bunch of wonderful cd's that my friend, Cindy, copied for me kept me awake and alert the whole ride home. Okay, that and all the cops out on the highway over the weekend.  Man, welcome to summer on the highway!

Just for Gene: Fried Chicken Livers and Fresh Bread

This is one of Gene's favorite meals: fried chicken livers and fresh bread. I smile sometimes when I make stuff like this.  I appreciate that he loves the simple things in life. For me, the more complicated the better, you know, but I appreciate being married to someone who reminds me that food or life doesn't have to always be complicated to be sweet.