Marlene

a preview of tonight's dinner. Pics will come once Don gets home to download them: Butter Tart Squares French Onion Soup Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin Garlic Whipped Potatoes Devil's Food Cake Cupcakes with Buttercream frosting. (yeah I made a few extra ) I will get my chili recipe into the archive tonight or tomorrow. Really I will.

Too late. Although I am starting to get a butter tart complex. I mixed up the second batch, put the crust into bake, took it out, poured the batter in and set the timer for 20 minutes. (I figured I was gonna watch this one like a hawk). Timer went off, I turned around, and there were my squares, waiting to go in the oven. Feeling slightly paranoid this time, (not sure if I'd pissed off the Butter Tart Gods completely), I put them in the oven, and stationed myself on the floor in front of the oven. My kitchen looks like a tornado went through it, I've used every mixing bowl in my house (and believe me I have lots), but damn it, I've got Butter Tart Squares

Oh no. I'm re making them now. The lst batch went into the garbage. I said I was going to make butter tarts, and darn it I'm a gonna

There will be further delay as I re-make the butter tart squares that got a little "crisper" than I anticipated

And now for my stupid cooking trick of the day In making the butter tart squares, I made the base as usual, and baked it for 10 minutes. I then turned off the timer (I thought) poured the batter in and placed in oven. Checked on squares 20 minutes later, they are still uncooked? Ah. I turned the oven off, not the timer. There will be a slight delay in the completion of the butter tart squares I think the cupcakes are cool enough to frost (slinks back to kitchen)

I wish you good luck!

One of my little fobiles as a cook is that I don't really know how to cook "small". I almost always have enough for the whole neighbourhood

The Recipe Gullet is a wonderful thing . I guess it's because I'm not much of a cereal fan that I have to drown it in something to make it edible! 5 minute break here. Cupcakes are in the oven. You know, I could develop some serious arm muscles just moving that KA mixer around . I just taste tested the French Onion Soup. It has a much richer flavour than usual, which I'm crediting to the Onion Confit. I think this one is going to be a winner And yes, I am making butter tart squares. How could I not?

Now that is a great idea! It just occured to me in the shower, that I haven't made butter tart squares for a while. Hmmmmmmm, I think I might have all the ingredients here. Perhaps squares for dessert tonight.

Home from the gym. Protein shake, cheddar cheese half a grapefruit and a gallon of water later, I think I might have recovered somewhat Now to shower, make cupcakes, get the soup on, finish the never ending laundry (how can two and half people have so much laundry ), practice piano, decide what kind of potato we're having tonight, make the honey garlic sauce for the tenderloins and most important, make coffee. Actually, I'd really just rather have a nap

I don't have the book I guess I could get the book and join in.

Thursday morning. I don't think I have any hot water left, Ryan spent so long in the shower. I don't really want to know what's taking so long do I? Anyway, he took so long it put us slightly behind schedule this morning. I was so busy getting his lunch, making sure all his homework was in his binder, getting Don off to work etc, that I didn't have the engery to object when he scarfed down the last 2 Krispy Kreme doughnuts for breakfast I managed to get in a couple of slices of cinnamon toast for myself and get my protein drink made up as today is a gym day. Ryan's lunch today included: Chili in a Thermos and a lunchable. (I"m pretty sure he won't eat both, but he asked for both. I suspect there's a huge black market trader's forum at the school). A hunk of cheddar cheese and a fruit cup (so I could pretend I was giving him a healthy lunch), a Mrs. Field's cookie, a Monkey Bread muffin, 2 drinks and a rice krispie square. I have to be careful about giving him sticky stuff (like the square) right now, as he recently aquired braces on his top teeth. At least the braces have cut out the gum and other sticky candy. I told him we were going to the Omega for dinner and he is already planning his dinner. Normally, he would wear a suit to dinner in a fine restaurant, but it appears he outgrew it overnight, and I don't have time to get him another one, so I'll rumage through his clothes today to come up with a suitable shirt to wear with his black jeans I've got the pork tenderloins thawing (I forgot to take them out last night), the French Onion soup will go back on the cooktop around noon to simmer for a while, and of course I'm a cupcake mom, so those have to be made today. While I'm tempted to use a cake mix to make the muffins (the kids won't care), I won't because I want to make sure they are nut free. We do have separate areas for allergic kids to buy their nut free cupcakes from, but knowing kids, there's always a possibility that someone will want to trade or share theirs without thinking about it. I do however refuse to use my good chocolate in these and thus, will resort to bakers chocolate (wince). I shall report back after the gym!

That would be because I haven't posted it yet!

Not sure who Miss Vickie is, but they are Canadian Frito-Lay potato chips. edit to add: perhaps I should refer to them properly as the Canadienne pommes de terre croustilles? Marlene, I go bonkers for Rice Crispy Treats. Which is why they are banned from my kitchen and household. I cannot control myself with those things. Then I drive everyone around me nuts from the sugar buzz. They ususally have to be ripped from my tightly clamped fingers. I'm with you Beans on the Rice Krispie Squares. They are the one sweet thing I really like. (I confess I made them more for me than for Ryan )

I got the CPM part And I've been told the organization is my middle name. When I'm running three or four million dollar renovations at a time I'd better be

Miss Vickie's is indeed a chip. It's a kettle type chip with sea salt instead of regular salt. I'm fairly addicted to them

Ah, dinner is over, the lad is in bed, and the dishes are (mostly) done. Tonight's menu included: Chili I simmered it on the stove all day. spices I found these spices at William Sonoma and figured it was a good time to check them out. Hot chili spice The spice packet contained both a mild chipotle and this hot spice packet. I used the mild one Finished chili. We like ours with some grated cheese on top garlic bread baking No chili dinner is complete without some real garlic bread to go with it! finished garlic bread Rice Krispie Squares One of Ryan's many snacks tonight. As you can see, mice had already been into them before I got a chance to take the picture I use a square springform pan to make these in. So much simpler to remove the rim and cut. The corners are kinda rounded, but hey, I like rounded corners I must confess, I am not a huge fan of Chili. However, Ryan requested it, and he seldom makes dinner requests (other than McDonalds of course ), so I figured it wouldn't kill me. As he grows older, he is developing a taste for spicy food, and has even requested a trip to Texas or Louisiana to check out the hot foods there. He's quite getting into the food blog experience. He took the picture of the chili in the bowl, and he wanted to take a picture of the cheese I melted for him to dip his nachos in, but I figured that was probably overkill. Of course, I'm not letting him read what I write about him I had one bowl of chili and two pieces of garlic bread, no cheese. Ryan had a Rice Krispie square for snack with milk, two bowls of chili with nachos, 4 pieces of garlic bread with cheese, a Krispy Kreme doughnut for dessert, and a fruit cup before bed. I get tired just watching him. Don was a little late getting home and then took off right away with Ryan and his Saxaphone. It needed a slight adjustment. Something about too much *water* getting into the neck of the thing, making some of the keys stick. Don't ask. Suffice it so say, we put a towel under his feet when he's practicing Forutnately, chili keeps warm well and Don finally got to eat around 9:00 p.m. DOn and I are both enjoying a glass of wine before bedtime. Speaking of alcohol, Ryan does like to remind people that I fed him alcohol as a baby. He had horrible colic as a baby and every now and then I'd give him a little gripe water which has a touch of alcohol in it. Remind me to tell you about my first two years with Ry. It would explain why I only ever had one child! So dear readers, that's it for tonight. We have a couple of fairly good food days coming up. I'm going to do a honey garlic pork tenderloin tomorrow, (haven't decided on sides yet), on Friday I'd like to invite you all to come to our favourite restaurant with us, The Omega, a Steakhouse here in Oakville, and Sat we are having company so it will be a big cooking day for me. See ya'll tomorrow! Thanks for tuning in. edited to fix stupid typos

I love the cleaving live lobsters in half thing and watching each half writhe on the cutting board. You're a sick man Jason

Hey beans! I think he did quite well. His presentation was today, so he hasn't got his mark back yet. I didn't take a picture of it and it's at school, but I will when it comes home. Dinner pics to come shortly!

I refuse to rise to this

In my blog, you can ask me anything you like . Of course, I reserve the right not to answer I also love Tim Horton's coffee, and before I got this coffee maker, I blended my Tim's with some Vanilla Hazelnut coffee. Now I have the grinder attached to my machine, and I use beans. Unfortunately, Tim's does not sell beans, so I usually buy my beans from The Second Cup or from Timothy World Coffee. In the RV when we travel, we use a percolator, and I take my Tim's along with me. I personally cannot stand Starbucks. I think I've probably built up a tolerance to the coffee. I don't usually have any trouble sleeping. In the evenings though, in deference to my hubby, when I do make coffee, I'll make decaf, otherwise, he'll be up all night, which means I'll be up all night He often threatens waiters when we go to restaurants when asking for decaf. He tells them he'll call them at three in the morning if they make a mistake and give him regular

I live in Canada . Labatts Blue is a way of life here . I wondered because of the restrictions on the amount of alcohol you're allowed to bring into the States for personal consumption. Not that we're heavy drinkers you understand , but I doubt if we can bring our CC, Scotch for Don, martini fixin's and wine across the border. Not to mention the Bailey's for coffee in the morning (a must when one is on vacation in a motorhome )

Another quick question. Does Wegman's carry wine/spirits? Or is there another store nearby it? Thanks for all the help!

Thanks! It's around 3 p.m. and next to Sat mornings, this is my favourite time of day. Most of my work is done, there's no one home but me, and I can just relax with a cup of coffee and a book (or hang out on egullet as the case may be ). The chili has been simmering all morning, and I've made some Rice Krispie Squares for a snack (at least one of them) for Ryan when he comes home from school). I've started simmering a french onion soup that will be for tomorrow's dinner. I always do my French Onion soup a day in advance, simmer it for four or five hours then let the flavours blend overnight. French Onion Soup. This time, I threw in some of the onion confit, and omitted the demi-glace in the recipe. I grocery shopped for French Bread to make garlic bread with tonight , and the ingredients to make cupcakes tomorrow. And of course, I had to buy a lunchable or two . Took my Forester in for it's oil change, and since the BMW dealership is right next door (they're owned by the same family and both spaces are brand new), I had to go over and moon over the new BMW X3. I'm really likin that vehicle . Our saleman, (Don bought his car from him, and I'm aquainted with the owner because he works out at the same gym as I do with the same trainer), told me when I wanted to test drive it, he'd give it to me for a weekend. Oh the temptation One of the neat things Ryan's school does is each class has a web page and the teacher posts the day's homework on the page. Actually, in the older grades, the teacher has the kids post it, which gives them some experience in webmastering as well. I love it, because Ryan is somewhat "forgetful" about bringing his homework home. It's a sneaky, parental thing to do, but I can always make him check his binder before we go home to make sure he's got everything. There doesn't seem to be any homework tonight which translates into a wonderful, peaceful evening. Hurrah! Hmm, my coffee cup is empty. Miss Vickie is calling my name, but I'm resisting the temptation for now.

They went soft