Sunday Sayings....

   Don't wait for the Last Judgment.  It happens every day.  Albert Camus, The Fall, 1956

Remember, if you’re headed in the wrong direction, God allows U-turns!  Allison Gappa Bottke

Let me start by saying.....thank you Lucy for sending me an award....very thoughtful, I will treasure the gift...

the week has flown by...I've stopped a few times read your journals, but had elected not to write in mine...(I guess I had a "creative" block)....not really sure as to why, other than I had nothing to share...we've all been there....

Got "stuff" rattling around in my head, and trying to make good, healthy, choices out of some options....Work is one of the things rattling around...The mood currently is ugly...stress is an evil doer....I'm a positive upbeat type of gal (usually) ...I'm not enjoying punching the clock of late....One bad seed is making the whole crop useless....this person is well aware of their actions, and is thriving on the control....I think today is the day she finds out to back off in regards to me....Where'd did I leave that can of whoop????  lol

The "BIL" stopped by for a brief visit...omgoodness it was great to see him.  Hubby was thrilled, they gabbed, fished and gabbed some more....we Skype regularly, but nothing better than a warm hug from a family member....makes life a lil better to tolerate....

C-boi & buddies are planning his soon to be 21st b-day...Where did the time go? The harmonies (lol) have me so messed up I'm boo hooing just thinking about our baby all grown....

Enjoy today's recipe.....

 

Buffalo Chicken Sandwich

Ingredients

• 4 pieces, 6 ounces each, boneless, skinless chicken breast
• Salt and pepper
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika, 1 /3 palm full
• 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/3 palm full
• A drizzle extra-virgin olive oil

Sauce for chicken:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup, 4 ounces, Frank's Red Hot

Sandwich

• Bib or leaf lettuce leaves
• 4 crusty rolls, split
• 2 cups sour cream
• 4 scallions, thinly sliced
• 1/2 pound blue cheese, crumbled
• Small red onion, thinly sliced
• 8 ribs celery, cut into sticks
• 2 large carrots, peeled and cut into sticks

Directions

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Season chicken with salt, pepper, paprika and chili powder. Drizzle breast with a little extra virgin olive oil to coat. Pan grill chicken breasts 5 minutes on each side.

Heat a metal or oven safe glass bowl over low heat and melt butter in the bowl. Add hot sauce to the butter and combine. When the chicken breasts are done, remove from pan and add to the bowl and coat evenly with hot sauce mixture.

Place chicken breasts on bun bottoms and top with crisp lettuce. Combine sour cream, scallions and blue cheese and slather bun tops with blue cheese sour cream. Affix bun tops on sandwiches and serve with remaining sauce for dipping your veggies. Arrange Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches on dinner plates with red onion, celery and carrot sticks.

Vegetarian: Substitute Gardein classic style chicken

Sunday Sayings...& recipes too!

Mirrors should think longer before they reflect.  Jean Cocteau

Progress always involves risks.  You can't steal second base and keep your foot on first.  Frederick B. Wilcox

the humidity is up...gray foggy skies bringing tons of moisture with it...blah...Yesterday was another bad RA day...It tried to kick my arse...but I said hell to the no....lol

I did have to leave work tho....My boss, tells me I looked awful, why the heck am I here...(always nice to hear you look awful)...so, putting the ego aside...I left...got home, crawled into bed and stayed put....today I'm back to being me...

Hubby's bro is visiting us tomorrow...flying in from CA..we haven't seen him in a few years...we SKYPe often tho...so that helps....Hubby's making the house SUPER clean..he has  brought out the carpet cleaner...(maybe we should have company more often)...

I'm sharing some recipes, first I found a vegetarian (deli) sandwich! eating meatless does not mean I need to compromise on taste..

I have also included a meat recipe for the crock...

Bon appetite!

Vegetarian Reuben

Ingredients

• 1 package (6 ounces) sliced baby portobello mushrooms
• 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil  divided
• 1 package (6 ounces) fresh baby spinach
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 8 slices marble rye bread
• 1/4 cup prepared Thousand Island salad dressing
• 8 slices process Swiss cheese
• 1 cup sauerkraut, rinsed and well drained

Directions

• In a large skillet, saute mushrooms in 1 tablespoon oil until lightly browned; remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. In the same skillet, saute spinach in remaining oil until wilted. Remove from the heat.
• Spread butter over one side of each slice of bread. Place four slices, buttered side down, on a griddle. Spread with half of the salad dressing; top each with one slice of cheese, a fourth of each the mushrooms, spinach, sauerkraut; top each with 1 slice cheese.
• Spread remaining salad dressing over the unbuttered side of remaining bread; place buttered side up over cheese.
• In a small skillet over medium heat, toast sandwiches on each side or until cheese is melted. Yield: 4 servings.

Round Steak Italiano.....

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless beef top round steak
• 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons onion soup mix
• 2 tablespoons canola oil or Olive
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon ground oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• medium potatoes (7 to 8 ounces each) 1 per person serving
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon cold water

Directions

• Cut steak into serving-size pieces; place in a 5-qt. slow cooker. In a large bowl, combine the tomato sauce, soup mix, oil, vinegar, oregano, garlic powder and pepper; pour over meat.
• Scrub and pierce potatoes; place over meat. Cover and cook on low for 7 to 7-1/2 hours or until meat and potatoes are tender.
• Remove meat and potatoes; keep warm. For gravy, pour cooking juices into a small saucepan; skim fat. Combine cornstarch and water until smooth; gradually stir into juices. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Serve with meat and potatoes.

Spicy Ravioli tonight....

As Sarah Palin is Going Rogue....I'm going Vegetarian....My comparison is soo similar.....lol 

21 days into the new year, and I've had one oops...I had a taco salad....it sounded soooo good...and it was....as I was chomping away, halfway thru my meal....I went...what?  Girl, you're eating meat!....AAAAAhhh the Vegetarian society is going to kill me....oh, wait I'm safe...I'm made of meat....whew...that was close....lol

My decision to go meatless, was based on I was practically there anyway...so why not...It has been a  bit of a struggle to change a life time of eating habits, tho.

The hardest meat to give up for me has been deli meat. Ahhh, the smoked turkey, or ham...take for instant BLT sandwich, I really said, I would give up the B in BLT...oh, that's tough....so, now I must find fake B or Tofu B....talk about becoming brave. (lol)  I have found a couple of products as good substitutes, for other meat dishes.  I have also added eggplant as a staple.  I have not however bought actually spongy Tofu yet but, my day is coming....

Tonight's menu selection will be Ravioli's

Spicy Ravioli

1 red pepper

1 green pepper

1 yellow pepper

1pkg frozen cheese Ravioli

(if meat lover use meat..or mushroom)

4 oz Mozzarella cheese

1 jar Salsa

grn onions (garnish)

Prepare ravioli to package directions. (drain)

Slice or chop one Green, red, and yellow  bell peppers.  Saute in olive oil, season to taste with Italian spices, or garlic salt, or Season salt.

Spray baking dish with non stick cooking spray prior to....

In 8" pan pour a thin layer of salsa in bottom of baking dish. Alternate layers of peppers, ravioli, cheese, salsa....repeat..ending with cheese as last layer. Cover with foil loose, bake 350 for 15 - 20 minutes until cheese is bubbly...top with grn onions...

If the family has to have meat saute Italian sausage and serve with meal.

Enjoy!!!

I got an attaboy....

As I was working last night the HR manager came by with a small box of goodies...A baseball hat, a pin, and key chain....all for me Yippy!

A few months ago a customer wrote a (positive) letter...

(with me it's very important to note it was Positive...lol)

to our Corp office...so the SVP of Sales, sent out a lil holla for a job well done and the box of goodies..Thx SVP holla back!....lol

I didn't want to forget the hat, so I slapped it on my head...then the ooo's & awww's started...no one has seen this style of hat...and I don't normally wear baseball caps.  To me it's wonderful to get recognition from any management staff member, but it's a fine line to not rub it in your fellow workers faces...I kept silent most of the night, and would answer anyone's questions about the hat...most fellow workers said, Attaboy...a couple were sour, one made me laugh...his reply....

....so you got your cousin to write a positive letter to corp.....Good going....lol ..he's way of Attaboy...I loved it.... He is a manager, with a huge heart, wonderful humor, and great dedication....he will succeed with the company...

....

prayers for the Haiti people.....

 

 

 

Trifling Tuesday.....

Reno, Nevada is actually west of Los Angeles, California.

The word "set" has more definitions than any other word in the English language.

On the water front a lone turtle peeks his ahead above the calm waters...he's able to enjoy the morning peacefully today.  The norm lately has been the huge flock of Cormorants, Heron, and Egret, disrupting his tranquil year around home, 

Miss Lazy Bones, and Miss Scream Everything Out-loud worked last night... I feel as tho I've drank a bucket of gin, recuperating will take a few hours...Only a couple of "crazies" on the phone to report.....

1st caller:  Yes, you just delivered my appliance...and the light to show the oven is heated is not on.....I want to talk to that dept..

me:  let me take your, name....etc  they will get back to you...

about 15 minutes later....

1st caller:  I called a few minutes ago, about the light on my oven....Well, we were reading the brochure and our model doesnt have the light indicator, for the oven.  So, did we get a discount for that????

me:  Yes, mme all of our ovens without lights are discounted....Is how I wanted to respond, but said...I'll have the sales person call you..

 1st caller:  Never mind, we bought one that was discontinued on the floor...I'm just not happy about that light missing tho...and you should let people know about that...

 me: I will, thank you...and have a good day...

2nd caller: Yes, I bought some patio cushions from your store 2 or 3 years ago....they are all faded, the stitching is coming out and a couple have holes in them...What's your policy for returning them?

 me:  Our policy is 90 days

2nd caller: Well, I havent liked the cushions since, we bought them, and I'm very dissatisfied...What am I to do??

me:  (Note: very important to bite your tongue when asked these types of questions)  ahem, I would suggest calling the manufacture they might be able to address your concerns.  You are unable to return these products, because they have passed the 90 day policy.

2nd caller: Well, I called them and they said I should try you....I guess I'm out my money.  I'll hold on too em, a couple more years, I think they'll hold up....

Eldest just informed me, as he is out on the lanai watching for wildlife...Ma.. the lake is quiet, I think the ducks are cheating on us and visiting another lake.....CHEATERS, he yells..

Oi....I need another cup of Joe....it's going to be one of those days....

Sunday Sayings.......

In order to keep a true perspective of one's importance, everyone should have a dog that will worship him and a cat that will ignore him.  Dereke Bruce

Attitudes are contagious.  Are yours worth catching?  Dennis & Wendy Mannering

 

... 

Nothing to write about...just thought I would post my Sunday Sayings....

enjoy the day!

No more extra graphics....

I removed some graphics on my sidebar....guess I was liking more than any visitor, so I kept them around, but found out they were interfering with people viewing my blog....(duh)....

Just getting this out there...praying for the Haiti people...omgoodness  do they have a tough road ahead of them...

We received a text msg from Cboi this morning, thanking us for all we do for him....At first hubby & I go...aww...Wait, what does he want?...lol  I texted him back and ask that very question...

his response: Nothing... 

Awwwww,  We are very lucky parents indeed....

Hubby came home like a bear yesterday, he has a cold...He loathes sickness, he is a workaholic...so to put him on the sidelines for maybe a 1/4 of the day is brutal for him....now he's grumbling around, full of complaints, stubbornness. Of course, he wants me to baby him, I havent the time, nor desire...We all want to be pampered when we are not feeling well..It would be easier to pamper him, if he would put the stubbornness aside... I will recommend this or that, he pouts, same old routine...he finally will listen take the medicine, get his tea or vitamin C drink, sleep, awake the next day, start all over again...whew...tough weekend ahead...

My coldness allergy has faded.(thankfully)  We are warming up, regular temps for the next 7 days...yippy this is why we moved here....come this June we'll be here 3 yrs...amazing how time flies..

Guess I had better get my day started.....

Today at the watering hole...

a pic of the Grey Heron.  Mr elusive White Egret....still being shy around the camera....I'll get him one of these days...lol

Actually we have 4 or 5  White Egrets hanging around the waters, all of them camera shy....if I get a picture of them across the pond they show up as tiny little dots...

here's Bentley (l) & Mercedes (r)...cuddling....awwww.

Eldest shot this pic of them....

we're thawing out...thankfully.....I hate to say this but 50 degrees is dang chilly...I want the 70's back....lol

Retail life....

my job....

caller:  I want the white laundry basket, it's tall, and yesterday they had none on the shelf....

me: (Disney voice) Do you have an item #, so I know what, tall, white laundry basket you're talking about?  (duh!)

caller: is it on my receipt?

me: Did you buy one yesterday?

caller: No, you didnt have any on the shelf..didn't you hear me.

me:(calmer voice) Mam, I did hear you, and if you did not purchase the item yesterday then it would not be on your receipt, also if you have no item number I have no way of referencing the tall, white laundry basket you a looking for....please call again when you have all the information, I would be glad to assist you..

caller: Cant you just hold on, I'll look for it...

Me:  No, I'm currently servicing other customers in the store as well....please call again...

(inserting Jeopardy music)

caller: Yes, I'm shopping on line, I've been trying to purchase a space heater and since you are currently out of stock I want to purchase this fake fireplace heater shown on line....

Me: May I have the item number to check if we have any in stock?

caller: Even if I buy it on line??? I'll have to wait for it to come in???

Me: (dang, I missed the class that taught us how to make items magically appear)(deep breath)....yes, I believe on line offers items we sell, it should also list if its available in stock or not....

caller: click

(Jeopardy music)

caller:  Do you have any space heaters?

Me: I'm sorry sir, we ran out of stock 3 days ago..

caller: Well, how come they haven't delivered anymore..

Me:  Sir, this is a seasonal item for our region, our supply on hand was for the entire winter season.  I'm not sure if our manager is requesting more stock.

caller: Now, hows that going to help me, from freezing my arse off....huh?...can you tell me that?...No one in this gosh darn place has any space heaters...what's up with you people...Up north we have em all year round...you should tell you manager that....

Me: (inhale deeply) (attempting not to giggle) Ahem, yes sir I'll pass the information on to our Manger, that our SWFL region should stock space heaters year around.  We do stock year around window air conditioners, some that have a heat selection on them...Are you interesting in purchasing one of them?

caller: can I return it?

Me: (Oi!)  I'll connect you to a manager...

caller: click....

(Jeopardy music)

Caller: Yes, I think I talked with you earlier.  I want the tall, white laundry basket, I haven't got an item number, but if you go to the shelf I can tell you which one it is.....

Me: (CALGON).......

 

Cold hives, hot flash......

Yes, its true....I'm allergic to the cold...Cold weather hives...

We first discovered these hives around 6 years ago...at 1st I thought it was a reaction to my RA meds, after several tests, the hives sticking around, my RA Dr tells me I'm allergic to the cold???

What?? How can anyone be allergic to cold weather?  I blow it off thinking my Dr is pulling my leg, I continue taking antihistamines, and finally after a couple of months they go away...about 2 months after that we move to FL....all's fine until 2 days ago, when the frigid air mass decides to pay us a visit....guess what???? Yep, I broke out again...guess, I should have believed my old RA Dr...

Now the issue is more serious, my neck & shoulders are covered with itchy, red hives (cold allergies), all the while I'm sweating with a hot flashes..

Can a girl get a break?? Oi!....

Two things.....third not so much...

I'm ready for 2 things to take place....the 3 not so much...

1) Summer"like" conditions to return to SWFL....I've had enough of the cold blast of winter.

2) Summer"like conditions to return to SWFL...lol

3) not ready for C-boi to go back to school...the next visit will be at spring break...he's preparing us for extra company on that trip.....so we'll bring out the inflatable beds....what college kid doesn't want to spend spring break in SWFL??? 

He will also be very busy this semester 17 credits, plus conditioning/coaching with football team, work/study, and try a lil socializing too...crazy... not sure when he'll sleep....Oi! how a mother can worry....lol

On the work front the customers have been on their best behaviors.. I can only attribute this to the cooler temps have  possibly warmed their hearts a bit...naaaawww....what am I thinking....lol  It's more like the "nasties" haven't come out of their respective holes yet....LOL....

Hubby & I are back into our never seeing each other routine...2 different schedules...grrrr and when we do see each other, were so blasted tired from the work day we dont speak...or we sit in front of the tv, nodding our heads, finally decide to go to bed, and race as to whom will have to shut off the lights...lol....real big excitement!!!

I just discovered that I forgot to pack away a front door Christmas mat used outside....lol...I always leave behind something...last year it was a wreath...so I think I'll just leave it their until hubby says something...

Oh...I'm changing my eating habits, for a number of reasons, (practically there away) I'm going vegetarian...9 days into it, my only slip up was nachos the other day had ground beef....oops, but I'm a rookie so I think I get a pass...last night I made chicken parmesan for the men folk, while I made myself eggplant parmesan...yummy!

Hubby bought me a Vegan cookbook for Christmas, I know I'm not ready for that, but will incorporate some recipes....the 1st I'm going to try is a Potato/Corn chowder...the weather is appropriate ...(love cooler temps & soup)....mmmmm

Just a lil note....

 

We had our "northern" friends come down for a visit....absolutely fabulous to see them, wish they would be here year around....maybe we can twist their arm.

 2010 has started off rather chilly, as a matter of fact, tis down right cold for the whole country, freezing temps for SWFL...now that's just unheard of...the heaters were flying off the shelves last night & this morning at work....the customers complaining why we didnt have more in inventory...geesh, you just can't please everyone...

Cboi is preparing for his road trip back to school...

......plus I been busy, I haven't be able to blog or read blogs in about a week....tooo toooo long.... no wonder I'm feeling a lil sad...