SUPPER CLUB - Mon, Oct 31st

[purrfect-lady]

Happy Halloween, y'all!

How's the candy situation at your house? I just bought more for the third time. We keep running out. We've had one trick-or-treater in the last 30 years - our 5-yr old neighbor who is now 35! lol! and even she only came once. But we keep buying candy, 'just in case'. }

VELDA - we always start with chicken Rice-a-Roni when we make our one-dish meals. Simply because we don't care for the beef. Besides using sliced keilbasa I often will substitute canned white meat chicken. and then the peas. Bill loves this meal when we're on the road and it's so simple to fix and quick to clean up. Happy travels! I usually use my phone, too, to keep in touch with everyone here. I at least read when we are traveling. Rarely try to type but I do dictate. I just have to be careful to proof-read what my phone prints out! Happy Travels!

JANA - what a fun idea - hidden tape recorder. If I only had one . . Enchilada soup sounds intriguing and tasty! We're going to need a full report . . .

BECCA - we've learned through the years, that no matter how bad things get, it could always be worse and there's always someone who has it worse. So blessings, skinny as they may seem sometimes, always abound!

IRISH - so glad you got to see Terry! did you like his new friend? Didn't you say she was interested in quilting? Or am I mixing her up with someone else? What a bum surprise to find him in a cast! I hope it heals up OK. Our Jim has had two fractures in the past year and neither of them showed on XR. I, too, miss Lady Carol. I see her now and then on FB, but then I'm so seldom on FB myself that it's not often.

Tonite I am going to make pizza, I think. Brother Gene is moving over to Jim's house and staying in their RV so I don't know how many people I'll be cooking for. Sis#1 arrives tomorrow in their RV and I don't know if she'll stay here or at Jim's. So meals are kind of an unknown, being planned spur of the moment. Mac & cheese are a family favorite so that may wind up on the menu tomorrow. Or burgers. Or meatloaf made by my BIL#1 along with scalloped potatoes. BIL loves to cook and it will give him something to do. I'm going to turn him loose in my kitchen.

So if this thread is to share menu ideas, I think I've covered several here! I hope at least one sounds tasty to someone!

[FarmChick]

No candy here this year!!! I always have had the same problem… buying over and over and only one or two trick-or-treaters… This year… no candy. I made chocolate chip cookies yesterday and packaged them in seven bags of one dozen. That will take care of all the trick-or-treaters including the one in our house! The boy from across the road usually comes over, then we may (or probably may not) have possible three others if they have time to get around to everyone. It’s very iffy. We are definitely at the end of the road for anyone. (Aren’t we, Mary!) I also have a bag of doggie treats, because Ava comes to see Great Grandma and Grandpa! Last year Meagan made her a dinosaur costume, and this year she made her a biker jacket from a pair of Briar’s old jeans. I can’t wait to see her.

By not buying candy this time, maybe I can postpone the 10 pound annual gain in poundage here. My jeans fit entirely too tight!!! Maybe it’s time to go to yoga pants or sweat pants… NEVER!!!

I’ve been absent for several days. It’s just been busy, plus I didn’t want to broadcast too much for Mary’s sake what our meals were… Friday night was the annual Halloween party at DS!’s house, and it was not a disappointment as always. The costumes are mostly homemade and always creative and so funny. There is a whole lot of laughing at the antics of the grownups who assume their costumed alter egos. DH and I were the oldest there by 20 years, as we always are, but we wouldn’t miss it. The Florida guys came and had a great time. They accused DH of being responsible for the bunch… and he is—for probably half of them!!! LOL!!! I made a bunch of finger foods that took me all day on Friday—severed fingers in bandages, mummy jalapeno poppers, Devil deviled eggs, spider eggs, bloody eyeballs…

Dinner tonight will be BEEF… so far it’s steak but it could turn into fajitas… we’ll see what rolls around at dinnertime.

Mary—you are such a trooper. So much on your plate as you hold your family together with food… I know you are a comfort to them! It will be good for your BIL to have some kitchen time with you, too… for both your sakes!
I'm looking forward to the gizmo. I do the "step" exercise/stretch on the back steps. I also brace against the wall and stretch my "bad" leg/foot back as far as I can stretching and keeping my heel on the floor. I also have some yoga stretches. I'm hoping for a miracle in your package!!!

I hope to get back to sewing…

[Irishgram]

Good morning from, right now, sunny SW. Pa...It's really a waste to listen to the weather people, the best thing to do is look outside....

Mary, As Chickie said, you are a trooper....I'm sure being together is a blessing for everyone....And, yes, we do like Terry's friend...What is funny, he and this gal have been friends since grade school and have always gotten together with all the old friends when he would come north...She also had been through some rough times and it just seemed, it was meant to be...And, yes, she interested in quilting but is afraid to really take the plunge...The quilt we will be working on has 30 15 in. blocks and it's made with Action figure fabric..She has every square and rectangle cut for each block and actually numbered and then took a picture and included it with the blocks so I'd know what went where....It really will be something1
And I know what you mean about buying more candy!

Chickie, I think we top you and Mary with the trick or treaters...We will probably get 4 and they're from next door..All the kids around here have grown and have their own families now...But, I still buy candy and then usually have to re-buy (which I did on Sat.)...That stretch you do against the wall is the one, I used to do in the tub and it really did help...Let's hope the gizmo helps....Can you post a picture of Ava in her costume? My 2 have decided to go as cats again this year......

Becca, hope all is OK in your neck of the woods...I have a feeling, you're probably out for your walk.....

Not too much happening around here today, well, let's just say, not much good stuff....Yesterday was to be a good day but turned into a nightmare....Jim totally lost it, decided he was going out (even though it was pouring rain) and when I tried to stop him, kind of got the worst of the deal...Had to call the neighbor who found him down the street and then had his wife who is a PA come and take care of me....Couple of the boys also came down and got him settled and then he's a completely different person...The neighbor was wonderful, stayed mostly all day and then called later last night...I know that decision is coming but I'm just not ready...So, 1st, today, I'm calling a locksmith to put new locks on the doors and that might help dissuade him when he thinks he needs to go out....Also need to call his VA doctor and ask her advice and probably should call our family doc, but we'll see.....So far today, he's been staying close, won't leave me out of his sight....But, the sun is out and today is going to be a good day...

Not sure what our dinner might be although we didn't have the left over spaghetti last night...But, could be just soup or something very light......

Happy eating............Hope your day is a good one......

[auntjana]

Good morning!

Here's the recipe for the Enchilada doup - the family decided it was a kerper. Couldn't get much easier to make either. The only talent you need is opening a can! LOL

1 - small can diced green chilies - your heat preference. I did mild
1 - small can of Enchilada sauce
1 - 14 oz can of black beans
1 - 14 oz can of kernel corn
1 - 14 oz can of chicken stock
1 - 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
4 - chicken breasts - raw and thawed
1 tsp minced garlic
Salt, it needed

Dump all into a crockpot and cook on low for 6 - 7 hours, or high for 3 -4 hours. When done, remove chicken and shred, then add it back to the soup.

Serve with goodies like, fried tortilla strips, cheese, avocado, sour cream, chopped cilantro.

We also cooked a batch of corn bread.
The can sizes are approximate- the ounces could be slightly different.

Gracie and Ethan both loved it.

Chili will probably be on the menu tonight, we will see. The trick or treaters start showing up around 5:30,so dinner is eat in between opening the door. We eill get between 100 and 200 little goblins tonight.

Enjoy,
Jana

[Becca]

Hello everyone,sunny & warm again.Like a broken record.

Maryz Sure hope DBIL does take over the cooking.Would be a big Help.You do seem to have it all under control.I forget you're not as old as I am.lol Prayers for all of you.

Chickie Sure hope the gizmo gets there soon & helps.Your party sounds like fun.And more feasting is coming too I guess.

Irish I am wondering am I right? is Terry the DS in NC.Sorry he had broken bones.And sorry you didn't get the to Do list taken care of.We told DGS this AM that we have a to do list for him.

DS & DGS Levi are overat woodshop working so I made them homemade spaghetti.Salad,bread, & apple pie.DH calls them to lunch & sees DS laying on the ground.He got sick with the stomach virus about 1 HR before lunch.What a bummer after me making all that.Apple pie is his fav.I felt a bit sick myself knowing he couldn't even eat.

Just read Your post Irish.Sure sorry but so grateful you have great neighbors.And Glad DSs could come to help calm him.Hope you're ok.Think the new locks are very wise.Prayers that today is calm & peaceful.

Oh the candy note.We have never in 34 Yrs had but 4 goblins.DH eats enough candy to supply a store.And I mean he eats it every day.We try to never run out.lol

Have a great meal everyone......Becca