I Don't *ALWAYS* Gripe...

So, the rest of my double shift passed somewhat peacefully. After about 3 a.m it was downright quiet and I actually read a book!

Saturday was a waste after I got home. Shady cat and I spent the day snoozing & snoring- don't let her fool you, that little beast snores too!- and got nothing done.

Sunday, I woke up earlier than normal (side effect of sleeping nearly 24 hours) so I fooled around playing Candy Crush & Cookie Jam on my tablet for a while. I finally summoned the energy to get up and get dressed, and went to get food and do some shopping. I'd been wanting to try some of the new sandwiches from Jason's Deli, so that was one of the first stops. I was in line behind a couple that should be in a sitcom. He ordered in about 10 seconds. SHE took nearly 10 minutes customizing her sandwich order into something altogether different. The very bored & annoyed order taker finally looked at her and said "Why didn't you just order the turkey & swiss to begin with?" *facepalm*

My turn to order. "Um," I began. "I need to make one little substitution on my order too." The order taker gave me the side-eye. "I just want swiss cheese instead of cheddar on the new Carolina Club." I didn't really want the lettuce or tomato either, but I figured I could just pick those off and spare someone else a headache. He began to snicker and admitted that he preferred swiss cheese on his sandwiches too. So far, so good.

Oh, that sandwich was good! Pecan roasted pork loin slices, bacon, honey mustard (a little on the sweet side, but wasn't going to quibble), swiss, the veggies, on telera bread. I picked off the tomato, but decided to give the lettuce a shot. My moan of pleasure upon biting into it was audible...which got me the side-eye from the girl 2 tables over. Her date/boyfriend winked at me, which cheesed her off even more. I didn't care. That was one of the best sandwiches I've had in a long time!

I'm getting ready to start stitching some of the Ink Circles Mandalas that I've collected, and they require a boatload of black floss for the outlines. Sullivan's black floss is better than DMC, and the only place I know to get it from is Hancock's. Yes THAT store. Good news: they were having a sale! Bad news: The associates still move at the speed of a dead turtle. WTF news: The 2 items I bought (20 skeins of black floss and a pretty piece of fabric that will be used as backing for something) were among the 5 items in the store NOT on sale. I still managed to maintain my decent mood and got out of there with my booty.

Next stop was supposed to be Wal-Mart, but there wasn't a parking spot to be found. I've been getting better about parking and hiking up to places, but since we'd had more snow/rain/ice fall, I didn't trust my balance or the spotty scraping job the store did, I decided to skip that and try them later. So off to the bookstore! Had a wonderful time there and spent far too much money before jetting off to Trader Joe's & Whole Foods.

Trader Joe's was it's usual overcrowded mess, but I had my list, knew exactly what aisles I needed and where I needed to be on them, so I got done pretty quickly. Until I encountered the old geezer who wanted to flirt. His horrified grandson heard him say that he needed a sweet young thing to cook him dinner and came rushing over to babble apologies and drag him away. I sent the coot into hysterics by cooing sweetly "It looks like you've already got one!"

Whole Foods was almost as bad as Trader Joe's. I was in line at the meat case behind a woman who wanted to know if the meat guy had a personal relationship with the pig her sausage came from, if it had a happy life, etc. He finally shed her and got to me. Since he's known me for years, he felt comfortable enough to tell me that the only pig he'd ever had a personal relationship with was his ex-wife and he wouldn't sell THAT to anybody. I had to laugh.

Oh, I also made it to Joann's for the rest of my floss needs. And a pillow form to fill the British themed pillowcase I'd gotten on Amazon. And some frames for prints I'd collected.

As you may have guessed, I spent an ungodly amount of money that day. But I had a good time, and was all useful stuff, so I'm not beating myself up about it!

Foodie Friday- No Churn Sea Salt & Honey Ice Cream

originally found here:

yield: SERVES 6 - 8 prep time: 5 MINUTES cook time: 6 HOURS total time: 6 HOURS 5 MINUTES
INGREDIENTS:

2 cups (1 pint) heavy whipping cream
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1/4 cup honey (I like clover honey for this recipe) + 1 tablespoon for topping + a little more for serving if desired
1/2 teaspoon Fleur de sel sea salt + more for serving if desired
DIRECTIONS:

Pour the whipping cream into the bowl of a stand mixer affixed with the whisk attachment. Start out mixing on low speed, then slowly increase speed to high and mix until the whipping cream forms stiff peaks, about 2 minutes. You can also use a bowl and a hand mixer, or a bowl and a whisk and mix by hand (but it'll probably take awhile unless you have superpowers!)
Using a spatula, gently fold the sweetened condensed milk, 1/4 cup honey, and 1/2 teaspoon sea salt into the whipped cream. Continue stirring gently until completely combined. Pour into a freezer-safe container with airtight lid. Drizzle the top with 1 tablespoon honey. Seal.
Freeze until solid, at least 6 hours.
Scoop into cups, bowls, or onto cones; drizzle individual servings with a little more honey and a bonus pinch of sea salt if desired. Serve.


This was a hit! I am now trying to figure out how to make a version of butter almond.

Foodie Friday- Garlic-Yogurt Baked Chicken

originally found here:

Ingredients

4 chicken breast halves
salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
6 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/2 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
Instructions

Lightly pound chicken just enough to even it out; do not pound it thin.
Place chicken in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper; set aside.
In a separate bowl, combine garlic, yogurt, and thyme; mix until combined.
Pour yogurt mixture over chicken; mix until chicken is thoroughly coated.
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 to 6 hours.
Preheat oven to 375.
Grease a baking pan with cooking spray.
Remove chicken from bowl and shake off any excess; discard yogurt mixture.
Transfer chicken to prepared baking pan.
Sprinkle panko bread crumbs over chicken breasts.
Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until chicken is done.
Remove from oven.
Serve.


I had it with oven roasted asaparagus (baked at the same time!) and rice, but green beans would be good too. Or mashed potatoes.

Foodie Friday- Skillet Cheesy Gnocchi with Peas and Ham

I found this online somewhere and cannot take credit for the recipe, but my goodness it's tasty!


Skillet Cheesy Gnocchi with Peas and Ham
yield: 2-4 SERVINGS prep time: 10 MINUTES cook time: 20 MINUTES total time: 30 MINUTES
INGREDIENTS:
1 pound gnocchi
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon all purpose flour
1-1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/3 cup shredded Asiago cheese
1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup frozen baby peas
7 ounces small diced ham

DIRECTIONS:
Bring a medium sized pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add in gnocchi and cook until they float to the top. Drain and set aside until ready to use.
Place a large high sided skillet over medium heat and add the butter.
Once the butter is melted add in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Whisk in flour until combined.
Slowly whisk in the milk until completely combined. Whisk constantly until the mixture is smooth and starts to thicken slightly. Lower the heat to low.
Add in all the cheese, peas and ham. Stir together until the cheese is melted. Stir in gnocchi and serve warm.

Note: If the sauce becomes a little too thick simply add a bit more milk to help loosen up the mixture.

An alternate to making your own sauce would be to use a jar of store bought Alfredo sauce. I’d add extra Parmesan & Asiago to it, fresh ground black pepper, and possibly some Italian seasoning or fresh chopped herbs. Oh, yes, I almost forgot- saute chopped garlic & some finely chopped onion in butter or olive oil, the add the Alfredo!

Squeeee!

I almost forgot that the Rick Springfield concert is Sunday night! Something to look forward to this weekend!

3 More Things- Entertainment Edition

3 of my favorite British actors:

1. Tom Hiddleston

2. David Tennant

3. Ben Miller


3 CD's currently in my car:

1. Keb Mo'- Blues Americana

2. Kelly Clarkson- Greatest Hits

3. Pop Evil- Onyx


3 Movies at home waiting to be watched:

1. Thor: The Dark World

2. Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters

3. Safe


3 Favorite snacks while watching movies:

1. Popcorn (preferably movie theatre with butter)

2. Potato chips

3. Chocolate

Poetry Monday Redux

"may i feel said he" by e. e. cummings


may i feel said he
(i’ll squeal said she
just once said he)
it’s fun said she

(may i touch said he
how much said she
a lot said he)
why not said she

(let’s go said he
not too far said she
what’s too far said he
where you are said she)

may i stay said he
(which way said she
like this said he
if you kiss said she

may i move said he
it is love said she)
if you’re willing said he
(but you’re killing said she

but it’s life said he
but your wife said she
now said he)
ow said she

(tiptop said he
don’t stop said she
oh nn said he)
go slow said she

(cccome?said he
ummm said she
you’re divine!said he
(you are Mine said she)


I am trying to download a copy of this being read by Tom Hiddleston....ooh, that voice...