Back to Love Week

I am always on the lookout for Valentine menu dishes. Hearts of Romaine Salad, Berry in Luv Salad, you get the idea. The heart shaped meatloaf is a given but I vary the side dishes. This green bean recipe came from my sis, Kathi and I tweaked the name for Valentine's Day dinner.
Green Bean Bundles of Love
Frozen green beans-16 oz.-I use Trader Joes harcort vert
Bacon- I use the precooked Costco (Facon)
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
garlic-minced-1 clove
Group some beans and wrap them with bacon, use a toothpick to keep everything together.

Melt butter, add brown sugar and minced garlic. Pour over the bundles and bake at 350 degrees fro 35 minutes. Since I use the smaller beans I bake less time.

I don't have a photo of the finished dish, sorry. You'll have to try them to see.

It's Urgent, So Urgent

Picture is of Bill and Hubby taken last year, all responsible like, no concert pics would be on the blog.

My BIL Bill and Hubby love music. They know more useless music trivia than anyone else I know. We've been to some good concerts over the years. And now our little hometown fair, the Northwest Washington Fair has booked Foreigner for this August. We bought tickets online yesterday. Two years ago Ted Nugent came to town, Hubby went, I wasn't invited.

It got me to thinking about other concerts I've been to with BIL &/or Hubby. Joe Satriani, Van Halen, BTO, Kim Mitchell, Toto, Steve Miller, Ray Charles*, Marshal Tucker Band, Johnny Cash*. And others BH, before Hubby, Loverboy, Joan Jett, Blue Oyster Cult, to name a few. Rod Stewart, with friends at forty. He still looked good.

Now we are old rockers and really appreciate going to a concert close to home. Driving two hours after the show, why we're just too old for that nonsense! I get tired.

We have some good memories, going to the concerts at the Gorge in George before it got so commercial. We went in the good ol' days when you could pack in a picnic complete with BIL Joe's fresh peach drinks. The kiwanis parked your car and you could pick up your concert tickets at the pharmacy in town. No pat down either. Those were the days.

*I just have to revisit the Ray Charles concert where my BIL, John tried to get on stage to be up close and personal with the Rayettes. A really BIG bouncer took care of him. As we left and trudged back to our car, parked in the vineyard, Ray's limo drove past and we all waved like crazy, like Ray could see us. Too many peach drinks...or something.

*Bill and Hubby love Johnny Cash. He reminds them of growing up, their Moms doing housework and listening to Cash on Saturdays. When my guys hear Rod Stewart, they'll think of me. Rod has been housework music for years at the stone house.

Rock on!

***Edited to add- My memories of said concerts may be fuzzy.

The Love Week Begins

So, Love Week begins. You may remember last year (details included with the label, Valentines). This year I am reading a great book for my Love Week. Very Valentine, by Adriana Trigiani. It's new. I am enjoying it. Personally, her Stone Gap Series was not my favorite but I liked Lucia, Lucia and Rococo.
A fun read for a fun week. I'll keep you posted. One thing is certain, I will not be whipping up a last minute mini book like last year.

A New Sheriff in Town? & Dinner Idea

Max is feeling better and went to school yesterday afternoon. Last night he had all homework caught up and asked if he could go snowboarding tonight. Okay, against my better judgement, we agreed.

This morning, the girls were sick, the trip was cancelled and he had a relapse. I got home from boot camp* and he had showered, had breakfast and crawled back in bed. It was as though once the ski trip got cancelled everything went downhill fast, no pun intended. So, he is laying in bed and we have a conversation:

Me-You need to put away your board and gear. I don't want it in the living room all day. You need to bring down your dirty laundry. You need to take some medicine and get to school. I want you to put away your clean laundry too. Let's go.

Max-Sounds like there is a new sheriff in town.

Me-Yes, that's right.

Max-Not a very nice one.

Me- It is tough love, buddy.

Max- Seems like NO love.

Me- Whatever, just do it. Now.

I love being a Mom, all the power, honor and glory that comes my way is just so rewarding.

*Yay Shannon! Welcome! Really, anyone can join and isn't it fun? Also, no bragging, just the facts, Friday is game day and I scored twice. Makes me happy.

Dinner Idea...
I found this recipe years ago in a food editor's cookbook and it is a family favorite. Marinate flank steak in equal parts soy sauce and Worcestershire. Have Hubby grill and slice. Always slice flank steak on an angle.


Enjoy!

This and That

*I am starting to think about Love Week. Our anniversary and Valentine's Day are coming up and plans need to be made.
*Max is sick this week, upper respiratory viral crud. He is not feeling good and looks even worse.
*Boot Camp is not an exclusive club, anyone can join the fun. We meet M, W, F at 6 a.m. sharp. Robb does a great job of changing things up so no one gets bored. What is stopping you?
*If you are a blogger and have used Blurb to slurp your blog, please let me know. I would love to see your book. I am editing like a mad woman.
*My friend Kelly has totally inspired me to cut grocery costs. Part of this is just being aware. I added up all grocery expenses for 2008. I then averaged and came up with a number. Now I am going to try to stay below the average month of 2008 in 2009. I was $125 below our average for January. Included in the grocery bill are toiletries, wine and beer and entertaining. Making different choices, still buying lots of fruits and veggies. No skimping there!
*Today two of my very favorite docents are coming in to work. Bob and Pete are 86 and 91 years old and they have great stories and lots of laughs. I call them. 'The Bob and Pete Show". Better bring them cookies.
*Have a good day, enjoy the sunshine.

Cheater Dessert Recipe

Sam and Hana (Happy Sweet Sixteen, Hana Jo!) brought birthday treats to Sunday dinner at Grandma's house yesterday.

I asked Sam what I should make for his birthday dessert for Sunday at the grand folks. Hubby and Max piped up with this idea. Sam did too. Must be a favorite.
This is a great cheater recipe. People always ask if I baked the cakes by layer or as one and cut it... Nope, it's crackers! It is an easy recipe but it must sit for a day or two in the fridge, so plan ahead.

Napoleons
2 sm. French vanilla or regular vanilla instant pudding mixes
3 cups milk
Chocolate graham crackers
1- 12 oz. Cool Whip
1 can chocolate frosting

Combine the pudding and milk; add cool whip. Put a layer of graham crackers in a 9 x 13 inch pan. Top with a layer of 1/2 of the filling. Layer with graham crackers and another layer of filling. Top with graham crackers.

Frost with the chocolate frosting. Store in the fridge-must make ahead one to two days before serving.

*I soften the frosting in the microwave for 20 seconds. That canned frosting is stiff and pulls the crackers up and before you know it your kids are hearing words they shouldn't hear from mom. You can make your favorite frosting recipe instead of canned.

Enjoy! If you are a food snob, it's your loss.