Eating in Solidarity with Ukraine 🇺🇦 Kasha Bowl with Shrimp & Olives

 Vaccinated supper tonite… Live from NYC…

Another cold bright day… cloudless sun filled skies… temps in the low 30’s… moderate wind…  folks bundled up walking to pick up kids back from winter vacation at school…  scarves whipping in the wind…  huddling into jackets… hoods up…  few birds out and about… mama squirrel snugged into her messy nest keeping warm 🐿 

Breakfast with Mr Sam… kibble for the puss…  iced coffee🧋yes, even when it’s cold out… a few cubes of munster cheese…  sitting in the office… grateful for the sun streaming through windows warming the space… Mr Sam snoozing on his perch alongside…  the never ending flow of paperwork… calls… letters…  reading… lists to make and refer to...  keeping details from slipping through the cracks…  laundry 🧺 linens and towels… a welcome break 

The hubs enjoying his last day in Denver… long morning walk…  lots of photos of his beloved mountains 🏔 getting a fresh load of snow ❄️ atop the peaks… by afternoon walk much of it melted as temps in Colorado warmed into the low 50’s… even Estes Park at 8500’ rose above freezing for a few hours

Supper tonite… eating in solidarity with Ukraine 🇺🇦… kasha bowl with onion, roasted zucchini, cauliflower, mini sweet peppers, Kalamata olives and shrimp… a glass of Sauvignon Blanc alongside… Mr Sam enjoying his turkey and giblets pâté 😻

As covid mask mandates expire and we move from pandemic to endemic vaccinations become even more important in the weeks and months ahead #GetYourJabOn  practice self care… be part of the solution 💉 

How was your day?   What’s on your plate?   Thoughts?

Kasha Bowl with Roasted Veggies and Shrimp

 Vaccinated supper tonite… Live from NYC…

Bright azure skies… temps in the mid 40’s… all remaining ice disappearing… deck clear save for little piles of acorn shells once again on the railing 🐿 

Hawk circling overhead… possibly searching for lunch? Folks out walking…  doing yard chores…  meeting neighbors for a quick chat… life returning to the Big Defrosting Apple 🍎 

Breakfast for two… kibble for Mr Sam…  iced coffee🧋and a banana 🍌 for yours truly… a lovely visit from a dear friend for midday coffee and a chat… fun visit with the kids… DIL doing beautifully… two months to go 👶 so excited 🥰 

The hubs and Colorado son arriving safely… hubs unable to visit with the family as DIL tested positive for Covid today 🥺😢 Disappointing part of life these days… he will be staying at the Hampton Inn Denver Airport for Sunday and Monday nights prior to flying home Tuesday ✈️  The trip was a resounding success… they enjoyed their time together immensely 🥰

Supper tonite… kasha grain bowl with roasted veggies (zucchini, cauliflower, sweet mini peppers) and shrimp… quick and delicious 🍲 alongside a glass of Vinho Verde 🥂

The people of Ukraine in our thoughts all day today… feeling heaviness and desolation…  an unnecessary violation of international law and the borders of a sovereign nation… eating Kasha in solidarity with the Ukrainian people

🥺😢💔

How was your day?   What’s on your plate?   Thoughts?

Girls Night Supper

 Vaccinated supper tonite… Live from NYC… 

🎶 Blue skies 🎵 in the Big Apple 🍎 today… remaining ice melting… temps in the mid 30’s…  bright sunshine… sparrows chirping… mockingbirds screeching… squirrels squawking…  folks out busying themselves with errands…  walking to the park…  clearing debris from fallen branches… ice storm remnants 🧊 

Breakfast for two… kibble for Mr Sam 🧋for yours truly… quick trip to pick up a few books from our local book swap group for Mom… a stop at our favorite bakery… back in time to throw in another load of laundry 🧺  Is it me or does laundry seem to multiply all on its own? 

Having a girls night supper…  a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc… a quick and easy vegetarian supper…  oven roasted veggies (asparagus, brussel sprouts, sweet red peppers, zucchini)  over toasted kasha 🇺🇦 with butter and a sprinkle of salt… a few pastries (sfogliatella, linzer tart and black & white cookie) all shared, of course… and a cappuccino to top it all off 😋

A fun evening of giggles and wine… just what the doctor ordered 🥰

The hubs and son arrived in Kansas City, Missouri tonite… plenty of time to grab a bite to eat and relax… two long days of driving behind them… one ahead...  onto Colorado Springs in the morning 🏔 Hello Rockies 🌄

Hubs will have two nights with DIL and the grands before flying home on Tuesday

Watching the catastrophe in Ukraine 🇺🇦 as Russia continues its invasion into a sovereign neighbor…  our hearts are heavy in solidarity with the people of Ukraine 🇺🇦🥺😢 #SupportUkraine

How was your day?   What’s on your plate?    Thoughts?

Kasha Grain Bowl with Roasted Veggies

 Vaccinated supper tonite… Live from NYC…

Wild weather here in the Big Icy Apple 🍎 Wednesday 68°F and balmy…  enjoying coffee out on the deck… Thursday night… Ice Storm… whaaaat?   Beginning around 11pm the pitter patter of sleet against the roof and windows… by early morning 1/4” of ice accumulating on lawns… sidewalks… roads… and cars 🚘  9am a cold rain slowly melting the frozen ground… early afternoon bright sunshine… temps in the low 40’s… most of the ice disappearing 🤷🏼‍♀️

The hubs and Colorado son left Friday mid morning… post ice storm… driving sons newly acquired vehicle back to his home in Colorado Springs... packed up sandwiches for the road…  green apples… bag of trail mix… water… juice… waving goodbye as they drove off into the rain.  Hubs and son will be on the road three days stopping in Columbus Ohio first night… Kansas City Missouri second night and onto the Springs by Sunday evening.  Three long road trip days…  plenty of time to chat and enjoy each other’s company…  share a few meals…  and arrive safely.  Hubs will spend a couple of days with his DIL and grandkids before flying home Tuesday evening. 

Breakfast with Mr Sam today… 🧋for yours truly…  kibble for Mr Sam… spending the day in the office… sun shining through the windows warming Mr Sam on his perch nearby…  dashing off between calls to drop in laundry 🧺 house unusually quiet post visit 

Our last meal together Thursday evening… roasted chicken thighs… baked russet potatoes… roasted mini sweet peppers… baked acorn squash and sautéed broccoli rabe (not pictured) crisp green leaf lettuce salad with cucumber, avocado, red onion, tomato and avocado… a delicious end to a two week visit 🥰

Tonites supper… kasha grain bowl with roasted veggies… mini sweet peppers… tomato… zucchini… asparagus and brussel sprouts…  smashed avocado with lime juice and sour cream on the side…  glass of Sauvignon Blanc… simple and fresh… Mr Sam enjoying his Fancy Feast Chicken and Beef pâté nearby 😻

Our hearts break for the Ukrainian people… tonite we are all Ukrainian 🇺🇦💔

How was your day?   What on your plate?   Thoughts?

Kielbasa… Rice… Black Beans & Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chippers

 Vaccinated supper tonite… Live from NYC…

Stunning day… temps in the low 60’s…  gentle breeze… a taste of spring…  birds singing… chirping…  squirrels 🐿 out digging little round holes in the soft earth… sniffing out acorns 🌰 leaving pile of shells along the deck rail… delightful afternoon ☀️ 

Breakfast… coffee for two ☕️🧋out on the deck… soaking in the warmth and sunshine… Mr Sam relaxing on the sunny boards… eyes closed… face absorbing rays 🌞 Popping into the greenhouse… rosemary flowering tiny purple blooms… thyme healthy and full… gave everyone a good drink…  leaving five one gallon bottles inside absorbing warmth through the day… radiating it back during the chilly night 🌚

Hubs and Colorado son spending the day working on the snowblower… tuning it up… getting it in top top shape for the next storm… Spent time in the office… enjoying the sun shining through the windows… Mr Sam napping on his perch alongside 💤 

Supper tonite…  kielbasa with rice and black beans… threw together a bunch of items in the pantry & fridge and created a brand new recipe we all loved 🥰 so pleased…  a few cookies baked up for dessert 🍪 

Sautéed one chopped vidalia onion in olive oil with salt and pepper… sliced the kielbasa on the bias… added to the pan browning both sides… added in 1/2 c Sauvignon Blanc to deglaze the pan… added in 2 c water… one 8 oz can unsalted tomato sauce…  another 1/2 c Sauvignon Blanc… 1 tsp thyme… 1/2 tsp ground oregano… 1/2 tsp coriander… 1/2 tsp cumin… 1 tsp smoked paprika… 1 1/2 c brown basmati rice… stirred together… covered… brought to a boil… reduced to simmer for 20 minutes… added in 2 cans drained and rinsed black beans… simmered for another 10 minutes… added in another 1/2 c water and 1/2 c Sauvignon Blanc… simmered for another 15 minutes until the rice was cooked through… added in 1 tbsp dried parsley and stirred in off the heat.  Let it sit for 5 minutes then served topped with fresh chopped parsley… smokey… flavorful 😋🥰

Covid infections decreasing… many areas rolling back mask mandates… hoping this indicated a change in the pandemic 🤞 great time to #GetYourJabOn  practice self care… be part of the solution…  mask up where required… limit interactions if ill… fly through the market and wash those germy hands 😷💕

How was your day?   What’s on your plate?   Thoughts?

Twosday… National Margarita Day… Taco Tuesday… Vodka Margaritas… Burritos & No Shell Tacos

 Vaccinated supper last night… Live from NYC…

Missed posting last night… so here goes… 

Twosday AND national margarita day AND taco Tuesday… well that didn’t leave much decision making for supper… 

Fresh margaritas… hold the salt thank you… delicious 🍸

Two burritos each… for Twosday… of course 🌯 

And finally tacos… hold the shell please 🌮

What a fun supper… far better than that taco place with the bells 🔔 

Happy Palindrome Week 😷💕

Salmon, Yogurt Dill Sauce, Fries, Asparagus, Sprouts & Hydroponic Salad

 Vaccinated supper tonite… Live from NYC…

Bright azure skies… light breeze… temps in the low 50’s… wow… delightful afternoon… walking with the hubs… neighborhood looking well kept…  couple of houses rebuilt into larger homes… listening to birds chirping happily in the trees…  sure they’re enjoying the fleeting warmth as well...  mama squirrel 🐿 chubby as ever…  leaving a pile of acorn shells on the deck rail 🌰

Breakfast…  coffee for two… his hot ☕️ yours truly iced🧋cottage cheese and blueberries on the menu…  post walk game day… rummikub… lost three in a row to the hubs…  he is sooo much better at visualizing the numbers in new arrangements…  but fun regardless 🥰

Supper tonite…  roasted salmon filet with dill yogurt sauce…  seasoned fries… roasted asparagus and brussel sprouts…  hydroponic lettuce salad with tomatoes, onion and fresh basil from the hubs 2nd floor office farm 🥬

Blueberry muffin and decaf for dessert 🧁

Covid deaths worldwide have surpassed five and one half million souls… new infections continuing to decline  #GetYourJabOn  practice self care and contribute to the end of this pandemic…  mask up… limit interactions… sail through the market and wash those germy hands 😷💕

How was your day?   What’s on your plate?   Thoughts?

Roasted Chicken… Haricots Verts… Kasha… Hydroponic Salad

 Vaccinated supper tonite…  Live from NYC…

First time for everything, eh?  Early afternoon… relaxing in the living room with the hubs and Colorado son…  drinking coffee ☕️… chatting away…  sun shining…  suddenly visibility slips to zero… SNOW SQUALL??   Out the windows flakes flying sideways… swirling… every direction at once…  lasting about 5 minutes…  💥 BAM 💥 … gone…  sun back out…  no snow on the ground… WHAAAAT??  Never seen anything like it before…  weather report saying it came through at 45 mph… wow 😮 

Relaxing Saturday…  visiting with family making our hearts ♥️ feel full…  soaking in every moment 🥰

Supper tonite… roasted broiler chicken… haricots verts… hydroponic giant caesar lettuce salad with tomatoes and onions in balsamic vinegar and olive oil… first time the hubs able to share his bounty with Colorado son… it was delicious… lettuce leaves so tender and flavorful… a glass of Vinho Verde alongside…  that chicken didn’t stand a chance 🤣 dessert… blueberry muffins 🫐

A newer more serious form of Omicron has been slowly spreading across the US… vaxxed and boosted folks seem to be able to resist the new strain for the most part #GetYourJabOn  while you’re well and avoid infection… meanwhile… mask up… limit interactions… fly through the market and wash those germy hands 💕😷

How was your day?   What’s on your plate?   Thoughts?

Ravioli Florentine… Turkey Tenderloin… Oven Roasted Potatoes… Sautéed Portobello Mushrooms… Asparagus… Spicy Sausages… Salad

 Vaccinated supper tonite… Live from NYC…

Busy week… Colorado son staying with us… such a delight… enjoying his company immensely… little time for online chatting… but missing all you lovelies very much ❤️❤️

Yesterdays warm up to low 60’s… a taste of spring… spent time in the greenhouse tending to rosemary and thyme… rosemary flowering these last couple of weeks since the Persephone phase has passed… she is celebrating the increased sunlight along with all of us ☀️ 

Today the thermometer crashed following last nights massive rain storm…   in the freezer once again…  enjoying the five office windows during afternoon work hours…  Mr Sam snoozing on his window perch soaking in  the rays 🌞 Hubs took his son with him for his trip to the barber… came back neatly groomed… handsome as ever 🥰

Suppers made throughout the week…  ravioli stuffed with ricotta, parmesan, kale and spinach with sautéed portobello mushrooms & turkey meatballs… also with spicy Italian sausages…  and by themselves… crisp green salad… mustard dressed turkey tenderloin with roasted baby potatoes and asparagus…  delicious meals enjoyed with family ❤️

Covid infections decreasing nationwide… hospitals still dealing with those who have become ill  #GetYourJabOn  practice self care… use that mask when in crowded public settings…  limit interactions… slide through the market and wash those germy hands 💕😷

How was your day?   What’s on your plate?   Thoughts?

Valentines Day Treat at El Gauchito… Super Bowl Chili and Cookies

 Vaccinated supper tonite…. live from NYC…

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY to all you lovelies ❤️❤️❤️

Celebrating a day of closeness and love…  our Colorado son is visiting with us for a week… enjoying his company immensely… it’s been two years since we have been able to spend any length of time together… such a blessing 🥰

Hubs and son spending the day in the garage (high today was 25°F) working on son’s new used car… adjusting brakes…  installing new battery…  he will be driving it back to Colorado in a week or so… has to be safe for the trip… came in around 3pm… pretty frozen… all finished!!  Time for hot showers… warm baths and hot tea with lunch 🫖 

While they defrost and feed themselves… yours truly off to the market… amazing how much food two grown men can consume!  Out to Lidl for a big shop…  food for us…  food for Mom…  filling our list and back home by 6:30pm… just in time to unpack and meet our local son, DIL and her folks for supper at a local Argentinian spot we love… El Gauchito… for a Valentines Day treat ❤️

A speciality of this restaurant is a mini grill brought tableside with meats and veggies still sizzling… hot coals within… hubs and son sharing one grill… DIL and son sharing another… her folks and yours truly ordering separate meals… steak and ribs for them… shrimp over Spanish rice and beans for yours truly…  food is fabulous!!  Delightful sides… maduros... tostones… rice and beans… green salad… potato salad… all expertly prepared.  Empañadas for appetizers… Dessert… cappuccino… espresso… tiramisu and alfajores… soooo full 😋🥰❤️

Photos of our super bowl supper… chili…  fried cheese… chips… homemade Neiman Marcus chocolate chippers… such fun 🙃☺️

Mask mandates rolling back in some areas where covid is declining significantly…  pleased to see folks being able to enjoy life more responsibly #GetYourJabOn  so you too can relax responsibly during this pandemic… mask up… limit exposures… fly through the market and wash those germy hands 😷💕

How was your day?   What’s on your plate?   Thoughts?

Homemade Rolls, Pizza, Salad, Composed Salad & Bifteki

 Other goodies made this past week…

Crispy salad…

Homemade dinner rolls…

NYTimes Cheesy Pan Pizza…

Hydroponic lettuce with sliced tomato and cucumber spears…

Peek a boo bifteki with munster…

Shell Pasta with Tomatoes, Onions, Artichokes and Olives in Wine Pepper Cream Sauce

 Vaccinated supper tonite… Live from NYC…

Temps in the mid 50’s today…  taste of spring…  squirrels 🐿 birds 🐦 all out in force enjoying a bit of bliss during this delightful warm up…  lots of tiny round holes in the lawn as squirrels dig for nuts 🌰 Did you know that squirrels can smell a buried acorn?  They don’t recall where they bury them they just dig up any they sniff out…  amazing little noses 👃 Bird feet can tolerate cold all the way down to freezing temps…  imagine what kind of chill that would give one of us 🦶 

Breakfast… coffee for two ☕️ 🧋the hubs enjoying his with oatmeal and blueberries 🫐  a banana 🍌 for yours truly…  spent a couple of hours straightening up and cleaning the house… not our favorite chore 😩 Hubs taking a long walk… good for his knee… while bills were finalized… calls were made…  Time for the hubs lunch already?  Mini wrap… green apple 🍏 mozzarella stick and lots of water 💦 

Spent some time in the greenhouse tending to rosemary and thyme… a few parsley sprigs that survived the cold… gave everyone a good watering… looking forward to planting seeds in the days ahead… love watching them sprout 🌱 

Supper tonite… shell pasta with tomatoes 🍅 onions 🧅  chopped black olives and artichoke hearts in a pepper wine and cream sauce…  delightful…  enjoyed with a glass of Vinho Verde 🥂 Meatballs for the hubs alongside…  he’s not a fan of meatless meals 🥺  Ice cream for dessert… vanilla for the hubs… coffee for yours truly 🍦

Covid infections in the northeast declining significantly in the past month… our area in particular doing well… over 85% vaccination rate in our zip code…  an excellent time to #GetYourJabOn  as the virus lessens its grip…  meanwhile… mask up… limit exposure… fly through the market and wash those germy hands 💕😷

How was your day?   What’s on your plate?   Thoughts?

Chicken Schnitzel, Potatoes, Salad, Acorn Squash & Italian Ricotta Cheesecake

 Vaccinated supper tonite… Live from NYC…

Temps inching up… thermometer 🌡 hit 40°F today… YESSSS… almost balmy 😂 even with the drizzle 🌧 Few folks out and about… couple of umbrellas ☔️ here and there…  squirrels 🐿 and birds hanging in their nests

Breakfast… coffee for two ☕️ the hubs enjoying his with oatmeal, berries and a banana… making a dash for the market to pick up some bits and bobs…  dancing between raindrops in and out of the store…  dropping off snail mail… zipping back home for kitchen playtime 🙃

Ricotta lounging in the fridge over a week gave me that use it or lose it vibe… and so… Italian Ricotta Cheesecake became the project of the day…  set up the ricotta to drain before zipping off to the market… leaving six eggs out on the counter to warm… getting back to mix and slide that baby into the oven to bake low and slow for about 75 minutes at 325°F

Meanwhile… supper awaiting…  chicken schnitzel with oven roasted potatoes crisp green salad and baked acorn squash…  accompanied by a glass of Casual Garcia Vinho Verde 🥂

Popped the cheesecake out of the oven…. so puffy… like a soufflé… falling as it cools…  now the difficult part… waiting for three hours while the cake cools  😩  Finally able to have a slice around 10pm… worth the wait in every bite 😛😊

New covid infections have decreased over 95% since the surge… NYC currently below 4%…  a huge sigh of relief and a terrific time to #GetYourJabOn  between surges…  let’s all get vaxxed and protect our health… mask up… limit interactions… fly through the market and wash those germy hands 😷💕

How was your day?   What on your plate?   Thoughts?

Turkey Meatloaf, Fried Rice, Roasted Peppers and Haricots Verts and Hydroponic Lettuce and Basil Salad

 Vaccinated supper tonite… Live from NYC…

Lazy Sunday…  staying home… too cold out for activities… no birds or squirrels out… ineffective sunshine…  great day for a nap (wish I could 😩) 

Breakfast… coffee for two ☕️cottage cheese and a peanut butter and banana sammie for the hubs… hungry guy today

Mr Sam snoozing on his window perch enjoying a few rays…  organizing paperwork post bill paying… a few calls… touching base with family and friends… tax season rapidly approaching… not looking forward to that looming task 😳😕

Supper tonite… turkey meatloaf… oven roasted mini peppers and haricots verts…  fried rice… crisp green salad with hydroponic romaine… cucumber… grape tomatoes… hydroponic basil… red onion and avocado… a glass of Chardonnay alongside 🥂

Omicron infections below 4% in NYC for the first time in months… our high vaccination rate and the high infection rate of this variant swept through the population rapidly…  enjoying the lull between surges… feeling glad to be fully vaxxed and boosted #GetYourJabOn before the next surge and protect your health… mask up… limit interactions… skate through the market and wash those germy hands 😷💕

How was your day?   What’s on your plate?   Thoughts?

Cream of Mushroom Soup, Cod Filet & Peas… Kielbasa, Acorn Squash & Potatoes & Salad

 Vaccinated supper tonite… Live from NYC…

Dreary rainy day… heavy cloud cover… temps in the mid 30’s…  listening to the pitter patter of rain on the awnings…  tires splashing in puddles… snow melt mixing with rain causing rivulets down driveways and along curbs…  a couple of sparrows sipping from a puddle at the bottom of the neighbors drive…  bright umbrellas ☂ hiding faces from view as parents collect children from school 

Breakfast… coffee ☕️ for two… the hubs enjoying a mushroom cheese omelette…  english muffin with munster for yours truly…  buzzing out the door to collect a few hardcover books for Mom from our local free book swap group…  back in a flash dodging raindrops…  a least favorite chore looming ahead… bill paying 😩

Finally… chores completed… playtime 😃 Off to the kitchen to utilize the four pounds of mushrooms picked up at the market earlier this week in one of the bargain bags…  cream of mushroom soup on this damp chilly evening… first time making it… amazed at its simplicity and flavor 🍄 

Supper tonite… cream of mushroom soup 🥣 breaded cod with a side of homemade tartar sauce and peas (sorry Liz Gutter 🙃)  A couple of pics of last nights supper…  crisp green salad with creamy dijon dressing and roasted kielbasa with oven roasted garlic mustard potatoes and acorn squash with agave nectar both meals complemented by a glass of Vinho Verde 🥂 

New infections of Covid finally slowing in the US…  hospitalizations and deaths expected to follow in the coming weeks… so hoping for an end to surges… at least able to enjoy the lull as new infections fall…  practice self care  #GetYourJabOn  your health is irreplaceable… mask up… limit interactions… glide through the market and wash those germy hands 😷💕

How was your day?   What’s on your plate?   Thoughts?