No Time to Say Hello Goodbye

The past week has been out of control crazy and this week isn't looking much better. A couple of updates:

 

1) Mandie is doing much better. I check her urine twice a day (she just loves peeing on a paper towel)and haven't noticed anymore red since day two of the antibiotics our fabuloso vet put her on (big shout out to Dr. Malter at Oceanlake Veterinary).

 

2) The biggest change for our family this week came in the form of getting rid of our non-family friendly car. Yes, that's right folks, Husband bought this undomestic diva a very domestic vehicle. A Subaru! Happy early Valentine's Day to me.

 

I've wanted a Subaru since I was in high school and it's all I ever talk about owning (besides a Lamborghini, dream big girls, dream big). The Mustang was supposed to be a Subaru but sometimes I let Husband have his way when he shouldn't. Either way, we are now the super stoked owners of a 2010 Subaru Impreza. Pictures as soon as she gets a bath. Oh and suggestions for names welcome.

 

That's it in the the what's new here category. Didn't manage to get out and walk the dogs as much as I would've like because the weather finally remembered that this is the Oregon Coast and it started to rain again. I'm aiming for five out of seven days this week. Still no running on the horizon but believe me when I do, I'm looking at all hill work.

 

I can't believe the amount of stuff that I need to accomplish. Between paying bills, cleaning, laundry, getting Melodie's nails cut, grocery shopping and the list that never ends, I should not be writing; however, my sanity requires me to take a moment and breath. So here I sit.

 

It's amazing that I even had time to cook at all. We did break our no eating out rule big time, so this week's menu isn't nearly as exciting as last week's. However, now that I have Husband on board with eating at home more (he saw how much we really did save and rather enjoyed having something for lunch too), the menus should go back to being rather complete. Here are this week's:

 

 



 

Kathy's Delicious Slow Cooker Chicken

Literally fall off the bone fantastic. A little prep work with getting the skin off and I didn't use a whole chicken. I used bone in chicken breast halves and they worked perfectly. Perfect Sunday dinner. 

 

Johnsonville Chipotle Monterey Jack Cheese Chicken Sausage Mexican Market Soup

(I'll say it here: this recipe has the dumbest name)

This was a really great soup, even if it was spicier than I would've like it. This also made a ton, so I have a big container of it in the freezer for one of those "I don't want to cook and you can't make me" days. 

 

Quick Tuna Casserole

This is my favorite meal to make. Super easy and I realize that it sounds like it would gross from just the ingredients, but give it a try (the recipe is below). Husband and I both love it and we know how rare that is.

 

Master Pizza Dough

I use this recipe for my dough when I'm in a hurry. I think I may have been trying to hurry a little too much this time, though, and didn't allow it to rise properly. Next time, Master Pizza Dough, next time.

 

 

Quick Tuna Casserole
(Adapted from Allrecipes.com, originally posted by Tresa Raymer)
Printable Version

2 packages macaroni and cheese mix

2 pouches of tuna, drained
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 Tbl seasoned breadcrumbs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Prepare macaroni and cheese according to directions. Stir in tuna and cream of mushroom soup. Pour mixture into greased 9x9 baking dish. Top lightly with breadcrumbs. Bake 10 to 15 minutes until bubbly. Take out of oven and try not to consume entire dish by yourself (sharing is caring).


Yes I left out the peas. Yes I doubled the recipe. Yes I want my butt to grow three sizes. Don't judge.

Well that's it for now. Off to find some motivation a.k.a. caffeine.

How do you keep sane in the midst of the hurricanes of life??

Just When You Think It's Safe to Get Back in the Water

We're already into the second month of the new year. How did that happen? It feels like just yesterday Husband was putting away the Christmas decorations (and if I had my way, it would've been yesterday).

 

This past week was definitely different. It was the first official week of being completely in our new home. I even meal planned for the week. We were finally settling into a routine when I noticed that something was quite right.

 

Our Mandie is a creature of habit and prefers sleeping in her "chair" over just about anything else (except food; girl loves her Taste of the Wild). However, the past few nights have seen me getting up in the middle of the night to let her drink and go out potty. I haven't gotten up this many times since Melodie was a puppy.

 

While on our walks (which I have been trying to get better about since Mandie was referred to as roly poly at her last check up), Mandie will pee every two feet. Now for dog owners, we know-this is not unusual. It's all about being top dog and peeing on someone else's territory. However, when I say every two feet, I mean literally every two feet. Waddle waddle waddle squat. Waddle waddle waddle squat (hey she's four inches off the ground, not exactly Giselle like). Today was waddle waddle waddle squat and pee blood. HOLY HECK IN A HAND BASKET!

 

Frantic call was made to Husband via my personal electronic leash, which of course he didn't answer. Then it was home as fast as possible, still with the waddling and the squatting. Got home called the vet, made an emergency appointment and was told we could come in early, though, to see if she could be seen. We showed up early.

 

Of course, Mandie was all peed out, so now she's at the vet being waited on hand and foot while this puppy momma is at home FREAKING out and trying to snuggle Melodie who just wants to play outside. The novelty of a front yard has not worn off for that one.

 

Instances like this make me feel like I'm going to be a terrible mother some day. I had every worse case scenario running through my head and was thinking about the horrible invasive procedures they were going to have to perform. When Mandie was taken to the back, it's quite possible I almost started crying. Worst feeling coming home without her. If we don't hear anything by two, I'm supposed to call them but I don't think I'll be able to wait until then.

 

So while this week showed great potential, I'm calling it as a bust. There was much cooking going on in the kitchen, though. I signed up for Allrecipes.com Pro Membership which includes a super cool meal planner. You just choose the meal you want to cook from your recipe box (which is akin to my Pinterest board in the overwhelming amount of recipes it contains) and drag it onto the menu. It automatically generates a grocery list, which I love, because without a list, I blow my grocery budget every time. Here are pictures of the recipes I made this week:

 

Lasagna Alfredo Roll Ups.

 I was really expecting these to be time consuming. They were not. AND even though they were overwhelmingly vegetarian, Husband ate it with no complaints (when in doubt smother it in Alfredo sauce). Keep in mind when using frozen spinach that you want to rinse it and squeeze out any extra liquid, otherwise interesting is the nicest way to describe the way it tastes. I also sauteed some garlic in with my spinach because, well, I heart garlic.

 





 

Taco Pie.

 Again, another super easy recipe but I had to make quite a few modifications which I'll list below.

 



 

A-Maize-Ing Corn Chowder

Surprisingly, while Husband enjoys corn, he doesn't care for soup, so this wasn't a huge hit, except for the bacon on top. I, however, thoroughly enjoyed it and can't think of any changes that I made to it.



 

Baked Chicken

This was quite easily the yummiest meal of the week. Full of flavor and fat, I would totally make it again, but only after a really really really long run.

 



 

Crescent Pizza Pockets

Meh, not sure I'd made these again. Great idea but the proportions of ingredients to the directions was off. Tasty, but a bit aggravating.

 

 

Taco Pie
(Adapted from Allrecipes.com, originally posted by Stephanie)
Printable Version

1 package refrigerated crescent rolls

1 lb ground turkey
1/2 large onion minced

1 package taco seasoning mix

1 minced clove garlic

8 oz. sour cream
1/2 can refried beans

8 oz colby jack cheese

1 cup crushed tortilla chips
 

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lay crescent dough flat on the bottom of a square cake pan and bake according to package directions. DO NOT UNDER BAKE. Meanwhile, brown the ground turkey and saute onions together in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the taco seasoning and stir together well. In separate bowl, mix sour cream and refried beans together. When dough is done, remove from oven and place meat mixture on top, then layer with sour cream and refried beans and cheese, and then top off with the crushed nacho chips. Return to oven and bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 10 minutes, or until cheese has melted.

Well that's what's happening around these parts. I want to hear from you now. How did your week go?

 

Food Friday

I thought I'd have a nice quiet week with Husband away, having a much needed visit with family. I thought COMPLETELY wrong. Between my first two days at my second job and some schedule rearranging with the other, I am pooped. On my days off, I cursed that I did not make my third wish from the genie something useful, like cleaning fairies (instead I asked for the answer to world peace and was presented with whip cream flavored vodka). I've made the apartment sparkle but now I'm afraid to do something to mess it up.

Needless to say, my food choices this week were pretty slim, especially after I ran out of milk at the beginning of the week. What I did make, however, was a tribute to my ingenious nature. Using only what I had on hand, I managed to not somewhat starve.

Monday: Biscuits and Gravy (I used the recipe off the back of the box for the biscuits and this same recipe for the gravy)

Just run a pizza cutter thru these and call it good.

Who would've thought I used powdered milk?

Wednesday: Single Mac and Cheese

I suppose, if you really wanted to, this could be a side dish for two. But I don't recommend sharing.

Single Mac and Cheese

(original recipe by the UDG)

Ingredients:

1 cup elbow macaroni

1 tsp salt

1 Tbl butter

1 Tbl flour

1/2 can evaporated milk

1 cup sharp cheddar cheese

(note: start w/ 1/2 a can of evaporated milk, but feel free to add more to achieve desired level of cheesy goodness)

Directions:

Cook macaroni in water with salt according to package directions. When al dente (firm w/o breaking a tooth, squishy w/o dissolving in your mouth), drain. Before returning macaroni to pan, melt butter over medium heat. Once completely melted, stir in flour until smooth. Add milk and stir until it begins to thicken, then add cheese. Stir until cheese has melted, then add macaroni. 

(note: this would be really good with some sauteed onions and garlic)

 Thursday: Cheese pizza (Made with my new fave crust recipe and homemade pizza sauce)

Hello little dough ball, all doughy and soft.

Sauce meet dough; dough, sauce.

I always pre-bake crusts. Helps it to stay firm when you put the sauce on.

Just needed some garlic butter on the crust.

Why yes, it was as good as it looks, thank you for asking.

Make sure you check out the What's Cooking page for this weeks recipes. And tell me, what was the easiest thing you made this week?

Food Friday

Now that we're moved in and settled, I was able to plan and execute a menu. It was glorious and since I can only run the dishwasher about once a day (I have to walk Melodie while the dishwasher is running or else she shakes like a leaf the entire time it's going), there was a little creativity in the cooking process. Without further ado, Food Friday.

Friday: Chicken Alfredo Pizza

Pizza crust from scratch with garlic butter

Ready for the heat

Time for my close up

Golden delicious

Might have taken every pot/pan in my kitchen but so worth it

 Sunday: Bacon Cheese Frittata

Cheesy eggy goodness

Perhaps it needs more cheese.

Done!

It was good but not great. Husband suggested adding hash browns, proving that he's more than just a pretty face.

Monday: Parmesan Corn Chowder

Pacific Northwest Comfort Food

Tuesday: Easy Mexican Chicken and Beans from Betty Crocker's Chicken Cookbook

Beans, Mexi Corn, Rotisserie Chicken, Taco Seasoning...any questions?

This sound became an oozing delicious mess on my plate. That'll teach me to buy tortillas somewhere other than Costco.

Wednesday: Cheese Turkeyburgers

I kind of made this up as I went along

Topped them off with Havarti cheese

Thursday: Bacon, Mushroom and Extra Sharp Cheddar Potato Crusted Quiche from For the Love of Cooking

Potato crust

Every body into the quiche!

Not burnt, just overly done (stupid oven).

Biscuits and quiche.

All recipes will be posted on the "What's Cooking?" page, so be sure and check it out.

Food Friday

Considering we didn't have anything in our fridge until Wednesday, I would still say we ate pretty well this week. When I wasn't cooking, we had the world's greasiest cheesiest pizza, as well as my favorite, clam chowder in a bread bowl from McMenamin's.

Wednesday I ventured out by myself for the first time and acquainted myself with our local Grocery Outlet and Dollar Tree (conveniently located next to each other). Now let me tell you a little about my new home. It's a resort town/retirement community, geared toward the vacationing and the vacationing permanently. Now brace yourself: there is no Walmart, Target, Costco or even a K-mart. There's something called a Bi-Mart but I have not been brave enough to visit it a second time. I'm stuck in retail HELL. We do, however, have a Safeway, aka the most ridiculously over priced grocery store known to man. And I felt every bit it's hoighty toighty dollar inflating punch. Part of it is my fault for not being overly prepared to grocery shop (no coupons, no looking at sales flyers, no sugar-free Red Bull in hand). The other part is Safeway's desire to suck the soul of its shoppers.

I did manage to make it a decent shopping trip, only forgetting 3 items (actually by that point, I had comethisclose to throwing myself on the floor toddler style, so I decided to say screw it and check out) and am thankful we at least have a Safeway card. One of the 3 items I didn't pick up was ground turkey but only because I had no desire to throw down my first born right then and there. The chicken was frozen, so we went meatless and I whipped out minestrone soup. 30 minutes and you have a great meal that is perfect for Oregon evenings (even better when you have a soup ladle, which after 2 years of marriage and countless pots of soup, I finally remembered to buy...yesterday).

Yesterday, I was feeling kind of lazy, so the crockpot made it's first appearance in our new home and I made a chicken with stuffing casserole. When using premade ingredients like the canned soup and boxed stuffing this recipe calls for, keep in mind the ginormous amount of sodium they usually have in them. I took a bite of stuffing and almost had to spit it out, it was so salty. I think recipes like this are fine occasionally, but I prefer to control the spices I put into my food.

Tonight will probably be pizza. If I make it to the Land of Fire and Gnashing of Teeth (Safeway), I'll pick up a rotisserie chicken and I'm thinking chicken pizza. If not, heart attack inducing pizza here we come!

Beginnings of minestrone

Chicken with stuffing in the crockpot

**Meatless Monday** Girl Pizza

On Saturday, Husband and I ventured over to the home of the Sweet Pea family, thusly named because their three year old daughter is just the most darling girl and her daddy calls her Sweet Pea. We are super fond of the whole family (their house is where the Sunday Brunch group meets) and spend a lot of time with them.

Recently, we exchanged our couches for the use of their laundry room so that our clothes would be clean for the move, so Saturday was not just about eating. I'm a user.

The Sweet Pea wanted to do pizza, so her mom bought all the ingredients. Momma Sweet Pea made the man pizza and I tackled the girl pizza. It included garlic white sauce, spinach, roma tomatoes, mushrooms, mozzarella cheese, some other cheese and a blend of italian seasonings. Quite possibly the best pizza I've ever had the privilege to put together. I even rolled out the (pre-made) pizza dough. 

6th Grade Home Ec Lesson Relived



Lazy girls lunch: pita, pizza sauce from a jar, mozzarella and a little Italian seasoning to make me seem more trendy than I am.

TUDG (The Undomestic Goddess) Does Pizza

Pizza is good, a gift from the gods. We eat enough pizza to keep a cabin full of junior high boys happy for a week. And we eat it from everywhere. Pizza Hut. Papa Murphy's. Homemade. Luigi's did reign supreme until Papa John's moved in, so now we have two favorites.

Tonight it's Papa John's. Half cheese, half pepperoni & mushroom (I cannot wait to be able to eat red meat again). Top it off with a BudLight Lime. The second to last one. And if SHH (scorching hot husband) doesn't get home soon, there will be no BudLight Limes left.

Eating pizza with my husband takes me back to our days of dating in high school. Date night consisted of mushroom and pepperoni pizza with a garlic crust from Hungry Howie's. Husband had them on speed dial.

Pizza also makes me think of my parents. My father is the quintessential New York pizza lover. If it's not New York style pizza, it's not pizza. I have spent my life in search of the perfect pizza outside of New York. Interestingly enough, it's in Parkersburg, West Virginia. My parents took my brothers and I there when we were little, and when they want to go for a drive, it's still to that great pizzeria. I don't even know the actual name of the restaurant; we just always referred to it as "Parkersburg Pizza."

When we wanted local pizza, though, my dad always trekked to the Adrian Small. He loved mall pizza and it was a pretty good deal. They knew us by name and it was always the same order: large pepperoni. It was soooo greasy and so big and soooo good.

In college, the only time I got pizza outside of the caf was when the parental units came to visit. We'd go to Round Table (good pizza, ridiculously overpriced) and we would order a larger pizza than we could eat, so I could have leftovers. Mom was always worried about me eating in college, especially after I went through a period of time where I couldn't eat certain foods. Pizza she knew I could eat, so pizza I was stocked up on (including those $1.00 Totinos pizzas from the frozen food section).

Someday I would love to travel to Italy to have authentic pizza. I understand it's really different, but I'm no pizza snob. I prefer to think of myself as a pizza connoisseur.

For now, we buy our own pizza because I cannot make it to save my life. I mean I can but it just isn't the same. If I use premade pizza crust from Winco, it's much better. But on a Friday after being screamed at, cursed at, hung up on and generally just annoyed, I need to NOT be in the kitchen. Shoot driving to pick up the pizza is already too much work. And recently I discovered I can order online, pay and then pick up. I know, it's screams lazy, but again, you spend 40 hours a week at a collection agency and then come home and see how you feel about cooking. So you keep your high and mightiness and I'll point and click my way to dinner.