Mac and I did get to leave the house yesterday without children, thanks to Hilary and Camilo. We went out to see Twilight, since it was the one playing in the VIP section. I had a coffee with Bailey’s Caramel Irish Cream and Godiva Chocolate Liquor. Mac had a Red Bull and Vodka, and we had chicken quesadillas as a snack to tide us over until dinner. That’s why we always get tickets to the VIP section. I left the movie with some extreme lust…over the Cullen’s house. I want not only the house, but the location of the house. I have not read the book, nor do I plan to after seeing the movie. It wasn’t a terrible movie, but I think I would have liked it a lot better 20 years ago. The only thing that made me want more–besides the house–was the preview for The Spirit^*. Graphic novel noir usually makes me happy. We ran into a few stores after the movie, went out for dinner, and then came home where I made some more hot cocoa mix and finally watched Wall-E.

And lastly, my weekly menu.

Saturday: Whatever we had in the fridge and cabinets that was edible and couldn’t be labeled as dessert.

Sunday: Mac and I ate out. The kids had Aladdin’s Cafe.

Monday: Again, leftovers. There was a lot of food made recently. Mac hasn’t been feeling well today, so I dug up stuff from the fridge.

Tuesday: Baked potato soup

Wednesday: Chili–a small pan of Cafeteria Chili for the masses, and some of M’s Best Chili Evar! for me and Mac if he feels like it.

Thursday: Spinach ravioli with a sauce yet to be determined. Perhaps a vegetable on the side.

Friday: Leftovers or a Guinness braised brisket. It depends on the quantity of leftovers from Tuesday - Friday.

M’s chili would probably would fulfill my “make one new thing a week” goal. I’ve been doing well since I’ve started posting my menus. At least one thing every week is something I have never made before.

*Beware, it will load the trailer, loud blaring sounds included.

Tree Decorating

The kids helped decorate the tree today. Most of the ornaments ended up low to the ground and all bunched together.

We watched The Christmas Story today while we were decorating. It was determined that James is going to be Ralphie for Halloween next year. I can’t decide whether I’m going to deck him out with a Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot range model BB rifle with a compass in the stock or the bunny outfit^*. The glasses are a must, and will probably be difficult to find unless I find a time machine to go back to the 80s. Or eBay.

*Don’t want him to shoot his eye out.

Baked Potato Soup

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400°.

Pierce potatoes with a fork; bake at 400° for 1 hour or until tender. Cool. Peel potatoes; coarsely mash. Discard skins.

Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Place flour in a large Dutch oven; gradually add milk, stirring with a whisk until blended. Cook over medium heat until thick and bubbly (about 8 minutes). Add mashed potatoes, 3/4 cup cheese, salt, and pepper, stirring until cheese melts. Remove from heat.

Stir in sour cream and 1/2 cup onions. Cook over low heat 10 minutes or until thoroughly heated (do not boil). Sprinkle each serving with cheese, onions, and bacon.

Mac pulled out the chocolate fountain with some fruits, pretzels and such. I later pulled out some dried cherries to try with it. Really good!

I haven’t made my dinner list for next week yet, but one night will include the new chili, and one night will be baked potato soup because I bought a thing of milk when I already had one in the downstairs fridge.

Ada is thankful for Hello Kitty

We went to Fort Scott yesterday to spend Thanksgiving with Mac’s family. Ada scored Hello Kitty stickers. She loves Hello Kitty. We were glad to finally be able to see Lilly again so Ada could play with her. It was 3/4 running around and playing, and 1/4 Death Match Throwdown over the purple crayon.

Make with the clicky-clicky to see the rest of the photos.

I have pie for tomorrow and I will finish up a small salad tomorrow morning to take with us. That’s about it. There will be no big turkey dinner preparation for me this year. We are having family over on Friday. I’m going to make pizza dough and sauce and provide various toppings, and everybody can contribute a vote to what they would like on their pizza.

Ada has resumed behaving like herself and eating food without undesirable consequences.

Then I started working while she sat on Mac’s lap. She started coughing strangely. I looked over in time to see her spew all over Mac. I ran to the kitchen to grab a bowl. I held her while she threw her blanket in the bowl and then proceeded to vomit exorcist style all over me.

I’ve never been coated in so much vomit before, and I went to a party school.

The Thanksgiving Feast that she has been helping to prepare for all week? We aren’t going.

She is picking up Animal Crossing pretty quickly though. And she put on her pjs tonight by herself. Except for the part where she forgot to take her pants she was wearing today off first.

Crap! My back deck door opened by itself again just now, and this time about gave me a heart attack.

Sunday: Slow cooked sweet pork ribs, corn with onions and bacon, and cheddar mashed potatoes^**–I also made almond cherry cookies^*** for dessert. And I have a sandwich loaf in the oven for the beginning of the week.

Monday: Chicken soup with a side of bell peppers and dip–I bought a dry dip mix at Penzeys. I’m going to mix it with yo-cheese.

Tuesday: Roast with coconut macadamia twice-baked sweet potatoes

Wednesday: Leftovers or sandwiches or something easy–I’m not sure what I’m suppose to bake for Thursday, so I’m leaving dinner open to fast and easy. Coconut chicken maybe since I’m using coconut milk on Tuesday, I can make the marinade for chicken on Tuesday, and grill the chicken on Wednesday.

Thursday: Probably turkey

Friday: Chili and sandwiches–I wanted to try a new kind of chili. Maybe the one you made recently, M.

*Insert Joke Here

**Which I almost sprinkled bits of bacon on top because I thought it would be funny.

***I told you that is what I’d end up doing with it.