Saturday Portions
Hey Guys, where's the feeder?
Oh, what a beautiful day we're having today.
Today, there was a slight drizzle, and the temperature reached a high of 74 degrees. Although the rain wasn't substantial enough to extinguish the fire, the cooler temperatures and increased humidity will help the firefighters gain greater control over the situation.
This morning, I was relieved to see that the major swelling on my thumb had reduced significantly. Although there is still a little swelling, I'm able to bend my thumb without experiencing any pain, which was not the case yesterday. I decided it was not necessary to go to urgent care. I plan to continue soaking it three times a day and applying Neosporin. It seems like it's improving day by day, and I just don't want to seek medical attention when it appears to be getting better. It's a day-by-day thing.
Tomorrow is our church's monthly potluck. I decided to create a dish using whatever ingredients I had on hand. It's a combination of different ground beef casseroles, and even though it was a risk, it smelled delicious while the sauce simmered.
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2 lbs. of ground beef
Two packages of Taco Mix
One can of tomatoes
One can black whole black olives
lots of garlic
some paprika
1 bag of the southwest blend of corn, black beans, peppers, and onions.
Two handfuls of noodles.
*I might have thrown some other spices in there - I lost track!
I told you I made it up with what I had available.
I dumped it in my casserole pan - added shredded cheddar cheese -
and will bake it tomorrow morning at 350 for 25 minutes or so.
We'll see how it is received—whether it was a bomb or a hit.
It sure is colorful!
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I hope the casserole isn't too spicy. Although I used to enjoy spicy food, my stomach issues have made it difficult for me to handle the spice as well as I used to.
If the meat casserole turns out good, I'll give it a name. I might also make some changes. I think adding some green onions and cilantro on top would have been a nice addition, but unfortunately, I didn't have any on hand. At first, I wasn't planning to add noodles, but I felt like the dish needed a little something extra, so I found a bag with just enough noodles and decided to throw them in. I realized I was out of corn and flour tortillas, which I usually keep in stock, and I forgot to buy them yesterday. I didn't feel like going out to the market on a Saturday just for those items.
I have some BIG reservations about church potlucks due to a bad experience with food poisoning and finding hair in the food at other churches in the past. I prefer sticking to items I'm confident about, such as bread and butter, salad, or raw vegetables. I'm trying to get over this phobia I have...
How do you feel about church potlucks?
Tonight is pepperoni pizza night, so I'm off duty. Husband is in the kitchen, listening to Italian opera
Our Song!
Well, that's it for me. I hope you all have a restful evening.
Enjoy Andrea Bocceli in my favorite version
of Time to Say Goodbye.
Debby
Your casserole sounds interesting and delicious. A lot of things added to it. Well, like you, I'm not too fond of potlucks with people I don't know preparing the dishes. But I've gone to the Mexican celebration at my old church, and used to buy the tacos and delicious foods, and then there's always the Greek festival that I attend, which the meals are prepared by many people, and the food is fantastic. So, there ya go. I guess it just depends. That picture of the Eurasian Collared Dove is precious. And I'm so glad your thumb is getting better. Neosporin is good stuff.
ReplyDeleteHave a pleasant weekend, Debby.
~Sheri
Yeah, Isn’t he just too cute sitting up there? We have quite a large population of them just in our yards. They must know that I used to keep Doves years ago ( white doves) and I know their language. lol
DeleteI love this beautiful song! So glad your thumb is getting better!! Yes, I am very wary about any potlucks. Usually the food has sat out quite awhile, and I never know if it has anything in it that I am allergic to. Many people get sick from potlucks! At least most restaurants try to follow the food safety rules. I try to avoid them. And if I have to go to one, I just don't eat. People ask me about it, and seem to want to feed me, though! But I remain strong!
ReplyDeleteI never was like this when I was young but all it takes is one time getting sick or finding a hair in the food and that did it for me. Plus reading about how unsanitary potlucks can be. No Thankyou.
DeleteI am glad your finger is better! Your casserole sounds really good. I have never got sick from a potluck. I did get sick from overeating! Have a great Sunday!
ReplyDeletelol yes overeating is another negative about church potlucks!
DeleteI'm not a big fan of potlucks either, but I have one next week for Pastor Appreciation, so we will be going. I'm trying to figure out what to bring - you'll have to update on how your casserole turns out. It sounds good!
ReplyDeleteIt’s in the oven now and it smells very good.
DeleteI'm glad to hear that your thumb is getting better. Keep doing what works, although recently my doctor mentioned that after the worst of an injury goes away. Vaseline also creates an effective barrier to help things heal
ReplyDeleteThat’s good to know and I will continue applying the cream or Vaseline.
DeleteYour new dish sounds very tasty. I'm guessing you might get several request for the receipt. Oh Debby..I feel much the same about Pot luck dinners at church or even other places. I just don't do them very well. I think this comes from my dad...he would only eat my mom's cooking and my aunts. He knew their kitchens and knew they were good cooks. I am the same! I know this sounds terrible and judgmental, but I just can't eat the potluck dishes unless I know for sure that they are coming from CLEAN homes and Clean hands. Y'all have fun and enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThat’s the issue. Clean hands and clean homes! After the pandemic when the emphasis was on washing your hands - huh? I thought everyone washed their hands! I guess those 30 years as a childcare provider was a good thing. I’m a stickler on handwashing. I’ve even mentioned to Doctors before, “have you washed your hands” I mean they have a sink in their rooms.
DeleteI think it might be a phobia with me. I just think good food handling needs to be as thoughtful about cleanliness as the actual food.
Your casserole sounds good. Let me know if it turned out. Glad your thumb is doing better. The poor birds get use to their feeding time and am sure they miss it. Janice
ReplyDeleteYes they do Janice and it was kinda pitiful as he sat up there for the longest time. I really enjoy my doves!
DeleteYum. I'll try your dish. I am glad your thumb is better. smiles
ReplyDeleteIt was delicious and was the first casserole that finished. There’s still a few tweaks but nothing major.
DeleteSo glad that you thumb is healing.
ReplyDeleteWe don't do church pot lucks anymore.
Yes, as long as I don’t knock it.
DeleteWe have a potluck at our church every fourth Sunday of the month; we're such a small group, and people are such great cooks, I never worry about getting ill from anything I eat. I certainly can understand why your would be. Great news about the weather and the fire, too. Blessings, Debby!
ReplyDeleteThe new church we are now attending is small and I’m still getting to know them. It turned out good. Someone brought a huge pan of grilled Tri-Tip in its juices. Tender and very good.
DeleteOh, I'm glad your thumb's improving!
ReplyDeleteThat casserole sounds yummy! We rarely do church pot-lucks -- b/c of the overcrowding and its challenging (for me) to keep on Keto. I can't even imagine what I'd do if I spotted a hair in my food .... yukkkk!