We had a lovely Memorial weekend. Didn't do anything differently than most of the country: attended a block party in the neighborhood and a barbecue at the home of friends'. Let's just say I downed my 'meat rations' this weekend: something pretty unusual for me, a chicken/pasta/seafood girl. Our neighborhood is a small one with only 29 homes and is again going through the changes that cyclically take place in neighborhoods throughout the country as older couples move out, making way for younger families. I never thought that we'd be one of those 'older couples' with grown children, but here we are, happier than pigs in slop when the grand kids are here. But, it is pleasant to again hear children playing as they ride their bikes, and play hop scotch, and swing on swing sets. And it is more than pleasant to sit and chat with neighbors, catching up with old friends and meeting new families.
The husband, as I write, is off to LA and will return home tomorrow afternoon. Yes, I do mean Los Angeles and not Louisiana. He likes to keep these business jaunts short. Because he's away, I have had him pre-set every alarm clock in the house for 5:45 a.m. I have an appointment with the oncologist tomorrow ( for my normal checkup) at 8:30 and am afraid of 1) over-sleeping; and 2) Beltway traffic at that time of the morning. It's so hard to predict how traffic will be -- in the six years I've been seeing this doctor, I've sat in traffic for two hours; I have arrived on time -- to not find a parking space because of construction; arrived an hour early and had to sit in the medical center hallway until someone came to open the office, or a combination of all of the aforementioned. I'll probably leave tomorrow at 7:20. On a good day, it only takes about 20 minutes to get there. We'll see.
About Me
- KathyA
- I am a retired English teacher and department head, the mother of three grand mother of four, and have been married to the same man for 53 years, two years after we met at college. I taught in both middle and high schools as I really love teens and in-betweens. I was also a certified Lamaze instructor, and for a short time a volunteer chaplain at Howard County General Hospital. I am a two-time cancer survivor, ovarian (2003), and breast (2019) I was born in South Philadelphia and grew up in the 'burbs with great parents, in a bilingual household. I love soft pretzels and cheesesteaks, the Phillies, the Eagles, the Orioles, and sometimes the Ravens. I love being Mom, Aunt Kathy, Nona Kathy (Kath), and Teacher. I spend a lot of time in my gardens in the spring and summer, and in the winter I plan what I'm going to plant. I also am an avid reader, cook, photographer, lover of languages, music, and four-footed furries.
Showing posts with label barbecue. Show all posts
Showing posts with label barbecue. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Saturday, January 31, 2009
A Short Tour and Saturday Night Supper
We can finally leave the house by the front door or walk through the garage to the driveway and street. Richard went outside with salt and a heavy shovel and managed to crack through the ice. A couple of hours later he could manage to shovel the ice away.
And now for the tour (all photos taken from the sunporch -- the yard is not navigable, yet)...
What looks like snow is actually all ice. The sign says, "Garden Tours 50 cents." The birdhouse/hat had silk flowers around the brim that are probably adorning a squirrel's nest -- they just disappeared about two months ago.
This is our patio just waiting for a barbecue and at this time of year I don't need the umbrella to shade me from the sun.
This is the sun room. If you look closely enough you can see Azrielle (BIG black kitty) on the far chair enjoying the toasty warmth.
This is a clivia that is about to send up a bloom cluster. In about a week this should be in full bloom. The flowers are bright orange.
This was tonight's supper -- macaroni and cheese. The recipe follows:
2 cups cold milk
3 tablespoons of butter
3 tablespoons of flour
1 tablespoon whole grain or brown mustard
1 tablespoon onion powder
4 tablespoons of chopped parsley
1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
8 ounces of shredded cheddar, smoked gouda, or Havarti (or a mix of your favs)
4 ounces of Velveeta (I know this seems pedestrian, but the stuff really melts well!)
1 pound cavatappi (De Cecco makes these -- they're like an elbow macaroni that is longer, twisted, and totally out of control. If you can't find these, use a macaroni that will hold onto the sauce -- like shells or penne rigate (with lines))
1/4 cup Italian-flavored bread crumbs
1 large baking dish sprayed with butter Pam
Preheat the oven to 375.
Place butter in a saucepan until melted. Add flour and whisk until incorporated. Add cold milk and cook until thickened and bubbling over medium heat. Whisk frequently guarding against burning. After thickened and bubbling, over low heat add mustard, freshly ground black pepper, onion powder, and chopped parsley. Add cheese, whisk until cheese has melted. Remove from heat. Taste for seasoning.
Boil macaroni, drain, and pour into prepared baking dish. Pour cheese mixture making sure it is evenly distributed. Sprinkle bread crumbs across the top and then spray them with butter Pam. You can also drizzle olive oil or melted butter if you prefer. Bake for 35 minutes. Let sit for about 10 minutes before serving.
And now for the tour (all photos taken from the sunporch -- the yard is not navigable, yet)...
What looks like snow is actually all ice. The sign says, "Garden Tours 50 cents." The birdhouse/hat had silk flowers around the brim that are probably adorning a squirrel's nest -- they just disappeared about two months ago.
This is our patio just waiting for a barbecue and at this time of year I don't need the umbrella to shade me from the sun.
This is the sun room. If you look closely enough you can see Azrielle (BIG black kitty) on the far chair enjoying the toasty warmth.
This is a clivia that is about to send up a bloom cluster. In about a week this should be in full bloom. The flowers are bright orange.
This was tonight's supper -- macaroni and cheese. The recipe follows:
2 cups cold milk
3 tablespoons of butter
3 tablespoons of flour
1 tablespoon whole grain or brown mustard
1 tablespoon onion powder
4 tablespoons of chopped parsley
1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
8 ounces of shredded cheddar, smoked gouda, or Havarti (or a mix of your favs)
4 ounces of Velveeta (I know this seems pedestrian, but the stuff really melts well!)
1 pound cavatappi (De Cecco makes these -- they're like an elbow macaroni that is longer, twisted, and totally out of control. If you can't find these, use a macaroni that will hold onto the sauce -- like shells or penne rigate (with lines))
1/4 cup Italian-flavored bread crumbs
1 large baking dish sprayed with butter Pam
Preheat the oven to 375.
Place butter in a saucepan until melted. Add flour and whisk until incorporated. Add cold milk and cook until thickened and bubbling over medium heat. Whisk frequently guarding against burning. After thickened and bubbling, over low heat add mustard, freshly ground black pepper, onion powder, and chopped parsley. Add cheese, whisk until cheese has melted. Remove from heat. Taste for seasoning.
Boil macaroni, drain, and pour into prepared baking dish. Pour cheese mixture making sure it is evenly distributed. Sprinkle bread crumbs across the top and then spray them with butter Pam. You can also drizzle olive oil or melted butter if you prefer. Bake for 35 minutes. Let sit for about 10 minutes before serving.
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