Miscellany

Today has been a day of running around. My brother was having work done on his car and needed rides, etc. I love that part of living so close to my family--the little everyday things are important.

I have friends coming for lunch tomorrow, so I've been doing some prep for that... another asian noodle salad, I'm afraid. Everyone just loves it. I sort of gag on the noodles--don't ask me why. I just eat around them. Dessert, however, is something new and exciting! More on that tomorrow.

Coming this weekend is a cookout at a friend's home. I'm bringing dessert, and I promised something fruity. Any ideas?

The Cooking Blahs

Do you ever walk into the kitchen and think, "Ugh, not again!"

I do. This week is a tough one for me. And there's no good reason--no trauma or tragedy, and nothing that has usurped my time any more than usual. I'm just not thrilled about the idea of cooking lately.

This happens periodically. And it doesn't mean that I'm not inspired by other meals, magazines and shows.

For example. I've been watching a lot of Top Chef lately. Last night I dreamed about a shrimp dish with a spicy peanut sauce over a bed of whole wheat noodles, with some bean sprouts and sugar snap peas.

(Sounds good, doesn't it?)

I don't even remember seeing that on Top Chef... so my brain must have been in create mode. But now, awake, I just don't feel like cooking. I'd rather eat a piece of fruit or grab a sugar free cookie than cook a meal.

So sad.

What do you do when this happens?

Improve Your Blog Month

Jenn at Frugal Upstate is hosting Improve Your Blog Month. I'll be participating this year... so expect to see a few changes here at Mrs.W's Kitchen!

Out, I tell you!

I think I've got spring fever. Only it's not spring yet. Maybe this is called the winter blahs.

Perhaps just having a bit of a thaw, seeing the ground peeking out from under that snow, experiencing some temperatures above 32*F and emerging from the long blanket of winter, if even for a few days, has thrust me into this... this... almost uncontrollable urge to get outside.

I don't want to be in the house. I want to go out. Out, I tell you!

And it doesn't matter to do what. My friend, M, called me yesterday and asked if I wanted to go to the grocery store with her. I jumped at the chance, even though I need no groceries. Because I wanted to be out. Then Mr.W came home from work and said he needed to go to Walmart, and would I like to go with. Heck, yeah! I had my coat on in two shakes of a lamb's tail!

Even today I feel like a rat trapped in a cage. But it's snowing again and I didn't keep the vehicle, so trapped I am.

I guess I'll go cook something.

I am SO ready for winter to be over.


(Stay tuned... I have a lovely new soup recipe to share a bit later today!)

Picture Meme

I saw this over at Lulu's Laundry and thought I'd do it myself. It's a picture meme, where you answer the questions using pictures you find on a web-search, only using what is available on the first page of search results.

Here goes:


1. The age you will be on your next birthday.


Original picture located here.


2. A place you'd like to visit.


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3. Your favorite place.


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4. Your favorite object.


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5. Your favorite food. That would be all of it.


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6. Your favorite animal.


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7. Your favorite color.


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8. The city in which you were born.


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9. The town in which you live.


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10. The name of your pet. I have more than one, so I'll put a picture for each, from oldest to youngest pet.


Original picture located here.


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11. The first name of your love.


Original picture located here.


12. Your screen name/nickname.


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13. Your middle name.


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14. Your last name.


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15. A bad habit of yours.


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16. Your first job.


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17. Your dream job.


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18. Your current job.


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19. A picture you find hilarious.


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20. A picture that inspires you.


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If you're interested in doing this one, consider yourself tagged.

Note: Obviously some of these questions could be a bit... revealing. If you're a blogger who likes his or her anonymity, then be creative! (I was.)

Kitchen Essentials

Aside from your kitchen appliances,

water, salt and pepper,
if you were limited to TEN THINGS to keep in the kitchen
at all times, what would they be?

AND

What meals can you make
with ONLY these things?

Here is my list:

1. Onion & Garlic - I have to pair these, because I never buy one without the other, or cook one without the other.
   
   
2. Olive Oil
   
   
3. Pasta - any shape or size
   
   
4. Canned Whole, Peeled Tomatoes - these can be used in variety dishes: soup, pasta sauces, even in salsa in a pinch
   
   
5. Vinegar – red wine or balsamic
   
   
6. Escarole or Spinach - these greens are versatile enough to be used for a salad or a cooked vegetable
   
   
7. Frozen Broccoli - because I love broccoli
   
   
8. Eggs
   
   
9. Parmesan Cheese – preferably a wedge, but if economy is an issue the green can will work
   
   
10. Chicken - okay, if I'm forced to choose only one final thing for my list, poultry works more for my lifestyle
    

From this list, I can make:

• Scrambled Eggs
  
  
• Garlic and Olive Oil over Pasta with Parmesan Cheese
  
  
• Pasta and Red Sauce
  
  
• Sauteed Escarole Sauteed with Onions, Garlic and Parmesan Cheese
  
  
• Salad of Escarole (or Spinach), Broccoli, Hard Boiled Eggs and Poached Chicken with Vinaigrette
  
  
• Poached Eggs over Sauteed Escarole
  
  
• Chicken-Escarole Soup
  
  
• Broccoli-Parmesan Omelette
  
  
• Spinach Sauteed with Onions and Garlic Tossed with Pasta
  
  
• Chicken Cacciatore over Pasta
  
  
  

What's your list?


(Adapted from a question I saw posted on the MarthaStewart.com Cooking Message Boards.)

Miscellaneous

There are so many food things rolling around in my mind, and my computer, and my camera yet to be blogged... so stay tuned for those!

Meanwhile, just a few miscellaneous bits.

Last week was a wonderful experience. Babysitting has got to be one of those things that I just adore doing. And helping friends. So by combining the two it was a really blessed week. My young charge was probably the easiest kid I've ever watched--no fussing, no arguments, no sassing. The boy is just good. He ate what I served him (even spaghetti squash), stayed pretty much self-motivated (ie, getting ready for school on time), kept his things away with little prompting, didn't have a melt-down while his parents were away... really, the dream babysitting job.

My house became a disaster while I was away. There is much to do. But instead of getting right to work this morning, I went straight to my email box (doesn't everyone?) and found a message from a friend and former co-worker.

She pointed out that the article for poliomyelitis eradication on wikipedia has a photo of our friend! How fun is that? One photo snapped while she was on assignment has been published worldwide--she is the poster child for polio eradication in action! You go, girl!

Well I have to get some things accomplished... I'll have a foodie post later today.