Salmon Dip

We just came home today and the last thing I felt like doing was going grocery shopping.
I knew we didn't have much in the refrigerator since we were away for over a week but I did find 2 containers of Squash Soup in the freezer and some whole grain rolls.  Perfect.
We went to 5:00 PM mass so we could have a relaxing morning and when we came home and opened a bottle of wine I looked for something to go with it.  My cupboard was pretty bare but I had some cans of salmon in the closet and cream cheese in the refrigerator and we came up with a delicious appetizer which also added some more protein to our dinner since the only protein we were going to have were the beans in the soup.

Salmon Dip
1 can salmon (skinless and boneless)
4 oz cream cheese
chopped onion
Wasabi horseradish to taste

Combine all ingredients and put in microwave for 30 sec to warm.

YUMMY!!!!

Peacefulness

Peacefulness to go back to when the snow is blowing and the temperatures are below freezing.

No rain and spotty sun

Nice day for a game of golf.

-- Posted from my iPhone

TinyURL

This is from TinyURL.com

Enter a long URL to make tiny: My tinyURL is http://tinyurl.com/blb677

Fish Frenzy

At the Boardwalk in Myrtle Beach, you can feed the fish.

Wherever the food machines are, so are the fish with their mouths wide open.

Below, the fish are being fed.

More shell collecting

Larry and Michael played golf again yesterday while I enjoyed the beautiful day outdoors walking on the beach.
These are the shells I collected during my 2 hour walk.

-- Posted from my iPhone

Walk on the Beach

Larry and I took a walk on the beach this morning and I started my shell collection.







We stopped to check out the fitness center on our way back and found Michael on the treadmill.

These are the outdoor and indoor pools for our Villa.

Larry and Michael went golfing and I hung out at one of the many pools until it got too windy and cloudy so I took a lunch break. Think I'll go to the gym now and work off lunch so I have room for dinner.

Last night we went to the Aspen Grille, a very nice restaurant past the blocks of chains and fast food places.  I took most of my delicious Eggplant Parmesan home since I was full from happy hour food  earlier.



-- Posted from my iPhone

The View from our deck

-- Posted from my iPhone

81 and sunny at Myrtle Beach

We arrived and are waiting for our room to be ready. Michael is on his way and should be here in 10 minutes.
Unfortunately the weather isn't expected to continue to be as glorious as it is today.

-- Posted from my iPhone

CRABS

Just got stuck in a bunch of traffic because of an accident where a truck carrying crabs overturned and they were being raked up.

-- Posted from my iPhone

Order in the Court!

Larry served on the jury in an 18th century trial.

Later he learned the correct posture for the aristocracy.

-- Posted from my iPhone

Colonial Williamsburg

Fall 2009 Site Schedule : The official site of Colonial Williamsburg
Just preparing for our trip to Colonial Williamsburg this morning.
Want to be able access all I need from my iPhone. Although they will probably give us this info at the Visitor Center.

75 degrees

We just stopped for gas in Shippensburg, PA and it feels like a heat wave.

We passed some pretty scenery on the way down

and stopped to get something to eat at a fancy McDonald's.

-- Posted from my iPhone

Off to Williamsburg

It's 8:49 AM and we're on our way. Only 49 minutes later than we planned. Not bad. More later.

-- Posted from my iPhone

It's snowing in Boston but "life is worth living" in Webster

This was taken tonight.
It was in the 40's today but sunny.

-- Posted from my iPhone

Oak Registers

These look so much better than the old white ones.

A Clever Video

This is really good. Would be a fun place to work.

Cleaning Bamboo Floors

Here's a good link for cleaning bamboo floors
http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com/bamboo_floor_cleaning.html

Waiting for the counter

Just to see what it would look like, we put a piece of wood on the island.


Then we added a tablecloth.


And then we ate dinner.
We hung the TV and still have to replace the light. That will be done after the counters are installed.

More kitchen progress

The island and side counter were fairly well completed today.
We still need shoe molding and another piece of matching wood for the island. Tomorrow they'll finish all they can and will come back after the countertops are installed. We found out today that the sink won't be in for 3-4 weeks but could be sooner. We still have to order the tile for the backsplash.

I think I drove poor Charles crazy today with measuring and remeasuring so that I would have the sides of the island the size I wanted. He'll be happy that I'm going away for the day tomorrow.

I love the way it looks so far.





-- Posted from my iPhone

Dinner at Betty and Brian's

We had a great dinner with terrific drinks, salad and dessert.
Lynn was there but Mark didn't make it.


-- Posted from my iPhone

Dear Lillie

I uploaded my revised Dear Lillie book to blurb.com
Now I can focus on my next creation.

Dear Lillie | BOOK INFO

Herb Roasted Pork Loin

I just put this recipe in the oven.

Ingredients:

• 1 boneless pork loin roast, about 3 to 4 pounds
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 4 to 6 medium potatoes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 to 2 teaspoon freeze-dried or fresh chives
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• salt and pepper, to taste

Preparation:

Rub pork loin with 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons thyme, then sprinkle with salt and pepper; place pork loin in a shallow roasting pan. Roast at 325° for 50 to 55 minutes.
Meanwhile, peel and quarter potatoes; cook in boiling water for about 10 minutes. Drain, let cool, and place potatoes in a large bowl; toss with olive oil, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, chives, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and salt and pepper. Place potatoes around pork loin; roast an additional 45 to 60 minutes, or until pork registers at least 155° on a thermometer.
Cover roast pork loin with foil and let stand for about 15 minutes before slicing.
Serves 8 to 10.
http://southernfood.about.com/od/porkroasts/r/bl30323a.htm

This is how it looked when it was done:

Golf

It was a beautiful day to play golf today even though only in the low 50's.

-- Posted from my iPhone

Self portrait

I needed something to do while I waited for Larry to have his golf clubs regripped yesterday so I played with my iPhone and took a picture of myself.

Unfortunately the new grips didn't help his game much today :-)


-- Posted from my iPhone

YMCA

I couldn't wait until I turned 65 so that I was eligible for Silver Sneakers and could join the gym for "free."  Well, this week I finally went after joining two weeks ago.  
The first day, Tuesday, I went to a Body Conditioning class followed by Cardio Tai Chi.
 I felt great.  However, the next afternoon I could barely walk.  I went again today but could only do one class.  I know I'll be in shape soon, but it's that initial pain from not having used these muscles.
I'm really happy with the Y and the instructors.  So I hope to be going at least 5 times a week.

Banana Bread

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup mashed ripe banana(2 to 3 medium)
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom only of 9x5-inch loaf pan.
2. Combine all ingredients except walnuts in large bowl; blend well on medium speed of mixer. Stir in walnuts. Pour batter into prepared pan.
3. Bake 60 to 65 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan. Cool completely on wire rack. 1 loaf (18 servings)


NOTE: 6/9/17
I always make the banana bread using 1 stick of unsalted butter for the shortening. I might have used oil before but didn't remember but on May 19 there was an article and recipe for banana bread using oil.  The writer stated that she used to use butter but then because her grandmother's apple cake with oil was so good she was going to try oil for her banana bread when she was writing her new cookbook - "Steak and Cake".  I decided I would try using oil today and therefore the reason for this note.  WE LIKE BUTTER BETTER.  Here's a link to the recipe and article from yahoo that may be available more easily than one from the D&C where you need an account.

Chicken Cacciatore

Today I made chicken cacciatore using Wegmans slow cooker recipe.
Lots of people in my neighborhood must be making this since Wegmans was out of the McCormick's Italian seasoning. When I got home, I couldn't believe that we didn't have any but I found a recipe to make my own.

Italian Seasoning
1 tbsp. dried basil
1 tbsp. dried oregano
1 tbsp. dried parsley flakes
1 tsp. rosemary
1 tsp. thyme
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. black pepper

This is the Chicken Recipe
you can also find it on the Wegmans website

Slow-Cooked Chicken Cacciatore

SERVES 6 ACTIVE TIME: 25 min TOTAL TIME: 3 hour 25 min - 7 hour 25 min
1 pkg (about 3 lbs) Wegmans Split Chicken Breasts, Drums and Thighs, cut split breasts in half
Wegmans Pan Searing Flour
2 Tbsp Wegmans Pure Olive Oil
2 cloves Food You Feel Good About Peeled Garlic, minced
1 pkg (8 oz) Food You Feel Good About Cleaned & Cut Sliced Baby Bella Mushrooms
1 pkg (16 oz) Food You Feel Good About Cleaned & Cut Sliced Peppers & Onions
1 cup dry red wine
2 tsp McCormick Italian Seasoning
1 pkg (24 oz) Italian Classics Seasoned Tomato Sauce (Prepared Foods)
Salt and pepper to taste
link

Add All Ingredients to List

You'll Need: 6-8 qt slow cooker, large braising pan

1. Dust chicken with pan searing flour.
   
2. Heat oil on MEDIUM in large braising pan; add chicken. Brown lightly on all sides, 8-10 min. Transfer chicken to slow cooker. Discard all but 1 Tbsp oil.
   
3. Add garlic, mushrooms, peppers and onions to pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, 3-4 min, until vegetables soften slightly. Add wine; cook 1-2 min. Add Italian seasoning and tomato sauce; stir. Bring to simmer and remove from heat.
   
4. Add sauce mixture carefully to slow cooker. Cover; cook 3-4 hours on HIGH or 6-7 hours on LOW. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
   
   

Nutrition Info: Each serving (3 1/2 oz chicken, about 1 cup vegetables & sauce) contains 390 calories, 17 g carbohydrate, (4 g fiber), 33 g protein, 18 g fat, (5 g saturated fat), 120 mg cholesterol, and 550 mg sodium.


After I got everything in the crockpot I went out to Eastview where I met Larry for our iPhone class at the Apple store. It was very enlightening and we picked up a bunch of tips.