Hello June! What's cooking today?

Dane made the trip (that he now refers to the 'TRIP FROM HELL') in a little over 13 hours. I think the worst part was when the Garmin gave him screwy instructions as he got close to her house. There is ALWAYS massive highway construction going on in the Indy area so it doesn't surprise me that there was a bit of confusion. But I'm not going to mention that. At least on the way home he'll be going straight down I-75 from northern Ohio so it's a straight shot to here.

I didn't want much to eat last night and thought something light might be good......but then when I was looking in the pantry for inspiration I saw the box of little elbow macaroni and I was struck!

When Dane was in Viet Nam I was living in a small apartment. Money was tight. I was working full time but heaven knows I didn't make much. The stipend he sent from his pay was around $75 a month, I think, maybe less. Sure wish I'd kept records of that sort of thing....my memory is so bad.

I use to help Mom can tomato juice every year so I always had jars of juice available. Just not so much meat. So, when money was tight I'd cook some macaroni in some tomato juice and that was my meal. Kind of a 'slim' goulash ~ REALLY thin! LOL

So, that's what I had last night. And it was really good. Well, it was OK.

I don't think I'll be eating it anytime again soon but I was a meal that brought back some memories.

It never ends, does it? Poor Tina.

UNCLE JIMMY wrote:Never ends..... true!...

Beth, glad Dane is safe; at his new work place. hahahahaha...

She has a long list of "Hey-Dad-will-you-look-at/fix-this?" This is the first year he didn't have to do regular maintenance at our Ohio house so she felt it was now her opportunity to get some low-cost Dad fixes. Son-in-law, Jim, works out of town 90% of the time and isn't exactly a handy type person ~ don't get me wrong, he's a great guy, just not really good at repairing stuff around the house. Dane has probably fixed anything that can break in a home, mostly because he and I are such cheapies when it comes to paying for repairs.

I was so surprised to see how many husbands of my friends who can't do much around the house. Joe can build or fix anything. Give me something disassembled and I can put it together. I can do minor fix-its and paint like a pro. What I can't handle are electric tools because I don't have the strength to control them. A chain saw? Forget it! I would cut myself in half.

This morning I pulled a single serving casserole out of the freezer of the chicken enchiladas with the green sauce. I even picked up a tomato & avocado to chop to sprinkle over it with the verde crema.

But today was the neighborhood ladies' luncheon and we went to a new (to The Villages) restaurant, an Atlanta chain called "The Flying Biscuit Café". And even though I only had a scrambled egg (with bacon, onion & collard greens mixed in), a side of their 'Moon Dusted Home Fries' (actually deep fried chunks of potato with a sprinkle of s&p, garlic powder & rosemary ~ pretty tasty) and a lovely biscuit ~ with some spicy apple butter...….well, tonight I'm still full. Oh, it must have been the peach bellini I had, too.

Anyway, I left the chicken in the refrigerator until tomorrow. I'll probably have an apple before I hit the bed for the night.

It's nice not having to cook a meal *or eat a meal* when I'm really not hungry.

I'm sure Andrea is making sure there is something for her dad to eat.

So all is good with the world...….my world, anyway!

We are having two kinds of pizza: artichoke/spinach and asparagus/onion. This should be interesting.

Well, tonight I heated up the little casserole dish of chicken enchiladas and made some of the sour cream/green salsa to spoon over. I also chopped a tomato and half an avocado and used the rest of the avocado & tomato for a smushed up 'guacamole' to have with some chips.

I hadn't had anything for lunch so I ended up having an early supper and now I'm stuffed.

Joe has had stomach cramps since friday and doesn't want any dinner. I guess I will zap a container of Stouffer's mac & cheese for myself.

Made him the burnt toast. He decided to have ice cream for dinner.

Burnt toast?  On purpose?????

Bass season opened in our area on Saturday, so my fishermen sons were out on Lake Erie. Caught 20 of them, and gave me some to take home. So, I asked a neighbour (who sadly is moving) to come help me eat it today. She had an acorn squash in her fridge so that's on the menu also. She is packing because her condo closes in 10 days. I will miss her.

Crappy day here.

Well, not completely. This morning the guy from the Geek Squad came and finished the set up on my new computer. He made it look so simple. Well, I guess that's incorrect. He did it and it was simple for him.

Now I just need to get busy and get my files organized so I can find stuff. My old computer had everything all helter-skelter and filed wherever it happened to land.

And after the Geek Guy left I got a call from my neighbor, Jeanie ~ she's the one who organizes the weekly ladies' luncheons with me.

Her husband, Kermit, has advanced Parkinson's and Parkinson related dementia. Early this morning he had a massive brain bleed and she called '911' to take him to the hospital. He's on support at the hospital until his 3 daughters and the family can arrive to say 'goodbye'. I was at the hospital with her when the neurologist came in to talk with her and do a short exam. She (the neurologist) said there's nothing more to be done. She was very kind and answered any questions Jeanie had.

It's sad but yet it's nice for Kermit that he's no longer in any distress from the Parkinson's. He actually looked very relaxed and it's the first time in years that he didn't have the constant tremors. Jeanie is very sad, of course, but she's relieved for his pain to be over.

Now if she can just make it through the next few weeks to get everything taken care of to get him back to his home in Minnesota for a Celebration of Life.

Is Florida corn any good? Out here, all of the corn comes from someplace else and it is pretty bad this year. Joe's gut is still sore so no cooking for me tonight.

Bugster2 wrote:Is Florida corn any good? Out here, all of the corn comes from someplace else and it is pretty bad this year. Joe's gut is still sore so no cooking for me tonight.

What we had tonight was dry and chewy, but it did have that corn taste, without sweet. Corn in NJ is a bit retarded due to the cool and rainy weather. South Jersey will start in a few weeks or so.

I can't seem to post an image from Photobucket. Any tips?

My niece in Washington.

Sorry, I can't get a photo on and I can't delete my post.

UNCLE JIMMY wrote:Had fried cabbage chopped, with cavatappi macaroni ....

I love cavatappi in pasta salad, Jimmy.

Tell Tina she's in my prayers. Hope she's back to normal soon. Glad to hear you're doing okay! Is your DD living with you guys now? Or is she just being a darling by dropping by all the time to help out?!

Niagara Visitor wrote:Trauma can set lots of things up.  Poor Ms. Tina.

I know this is a cooking place........................ BUT, How about those Raptors last night???? I know, the world thinks Basketball= USA............................... however, remember, Basketball was invented by a Canadian!  Sooooo proud of our team.  

Laughed when I read this, Lore! Both Brian and I were rooting for the Raptors and we loved seeing the excitement of everyone when you Canucks won! Now you've got to do it again!

UNCLE JIMMY wrote:

Here is a latest pic. Looks like he's modeling for babies are us.

Check out the hands in the pockets...hahahahahaha

He DOES look like he's modeling that outfit! He also looks like he knows he looks good, too. Look at the size of those shoes already!

Cindy, I'm so glad you sound like you're feeling better about your new home. Dare I say you even sound HAPPY!!!!!


It's wonderful to hear you sound so good, too. That Geoffrey must be responsible, as he sounds like he's a great cat and a great companion too!


His coloring is gorgeous!