Week 64, 3-12-2017

Thoughts and Quotes: I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again.       William Penn

Muffin Tin Monday: Blueberry muffins to use up what I had in the freezer, as they're on sale this week and I can restock.

BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

3 cups flour

1 cup sugar

4 tsps (1Tbs +1 tsp) baking powder

1 tsp salt

2/3 cup milk

1/2 cup cooking oil

2 eggs

2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries

4-5 Tbs sugar for topping

Heat oven to 400°.

Combine the first four ingredients in a large mixing bowl and make a well in the center.

Mix the milk, oil, and eggs and pour it into the well.

Stir just until dry ingredients are moistened.

Fold in blueberries.

Fill greased muffin tins (or paper baking cups) 2/3 full. Sprinkle sugar over the tops.

Bake 20-25 minutes.

Note: Recipe makes 24 muffins – easily halved to make only 12 if you wish.

Tidy Up Tuesday: My mouth, not my poor neglected house. Time to get my teeth cleaned. Things have certainly changed from when I grew up. My dentist's office was upstairs, and my knees would be trying to buckle by the time I got to the top, because I knew what was coming. Back then, we were only sent to the dentist if we had a problem. The dentist would whip out that needle and jab it into my gums with no pre-treatment of any kind. No wonder I was terrified. 

This week I took this photo in the hygienist's section. It was like flying first class.

Where to Wednesday: Ruby Tuesday is advertising that their salad bar has been expanded, and we wanted to see for ourselves. The only thing I noticed was that the cucumbers are now chopped instead of sliced, they've added thinly sliced bell peppers, there are some new salad dressings, and the plates are smaller. It's all you can eat, but maybe this way they can cut down on waste. Some people load up and then find they can't finish. 

Try Something Thursday: I tried to get a new battery for my car, but had to wait for one to be ordered in.

Friends Over Friday: Joey came over Friday, but not to be entertained. She brought my birthday "cake": my favorite - cherry pie.

And some flowers.

And the gift bag she made.

Holding the dies she used to make it.

And some new stamps.

Getting older just got better.

Tasting: Our VECC lunch was at Mim's this month, and she made an Italian feast. 

The Table

Tossed Salad

With homemade Italian viniagrette

Sausage and Peppers

Polenta

With Homemade Marinara

Fresh Asparagus

And rolls and butter

Almond Cake and Ice Cream for dessert

I wish I had some right now.

And begonias for our party favors

Thank You: To Chosen Niece Terri for my beautiful flowers.

And to all my friends and family for the gifts and cards, some handmade:

Thank you: To Katie for inviting me to her card class where we made three awesome cards.

Tablescapes: Finally, the last February table is finished. "Yearning for Spring".

And March should be easy-peasy.  I've done all four Tablescapes already:

Turquoise Spring

Ivy

Red Tulips

(I purchased the paper napkins at the tulip festival in Pella, IA, and just had to use them)

Pink and Green Ruffles

The March Tea is finished. It's the one I posted on Year 2, Week 5.

So that leaves only two Theme Dining meals. "I'm Going Green" lunch and "Tulipmania" brunch. Whew! Then I'll be on schedule. Hope to finish both by next week, and I'll have two weeks to clean and work in the yard. 

Theme Dining: I've decided to add Baked Ziti as an alternative to Lasagna for the Buon Appetito dinner.

BAKED ZITI

Olive oil or butter for greasing baking dish

1 lb hamburger, optional

8 oz dried ziti

16 oz ricotta cheese

3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

3 cups spaghetti sauce

1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Heat oven to 350°.

Grease bottom of a 13” X 9” baking dish.

Cook ziti in boiling water about 8 minutes to al dente stage.

Mix ricotta and half the mozzarella in a large mixing bowl and add ziti and toss to cover.

Spread half the spaghetti sauce in the baking dish.

Add ziti mix and cover with remaining sauce.

Sprinkle remaining mozzarella over top; then sprinkle Parmesan over.

Bake 20-30 minutes or until bubbling around the edges.

Note: If adding hamburger: Cook, drain and stir into spaghetti sauce.

The Pepper Report: When I went out to feed the feral kitties (Stormy, Sunny, and BJ), Pepper slipped out the door and didn't want to come in. I just let him sniff around and it wasn't long before he was sitting at the door, wanting to come back inside. It was a cold day and after all, he IS a housecat now. 

Tips: My son found this on the internet - a way to save money so you can eat out more often. Click HERE  and then giggle.

Transferring: Where to Wednesday to Tuesday. This week at Hula Hawaiian Kitchen at noon. It's at 1730 East Repulic Road (the Southgate Center just east of Touch). Click HERE.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY

HOPE YOU FIND THE POT OF GOLD

GET READY FOR SPRING

CELEBRATE SOME NATIONAL DAYS

Monday is Good Samaritan Day

Tuesday is Potato Chip Day

Wednesday is Pears Helene Day (for recipe click HERE)

Thursday is Artichoke Hearts Day

Friday is Corned Beef and Cabbage Day (of course)

Saturday is Sloppy Joe Day

Sunday - take your pick:

Poultry Day or Chocolate Caramel Day

THANK YOU FOR SHARING MY LIFE