Lesson Learned

 

Patience.  I thought I had some.  Apparently I did not have enough.

About a week ago I started having trouble blogging like I normally do.  Being a “newbie” at this, I couldn’t figure out what was wrong.  I was doing everything exactly the same and it didn’t make sense.  Frustration set in and I was becoming pretty upset.  Mike, my tech helper, was doing his best to help me, but couldn’t find a definite answer as to why my blog wouldn’t work either.

Finally, yesterday we thought, we sort of figured out what was wrong.  I needed more storage in one of my online picture albums.  Me, apparently thinking I was fixing the problem, made a HUGE mistake.  Instead of deleting some pictures that I had backed up on my computer, I ended up deleting my blog pictures. 

Everything was fine until I looked at my blog.  Holy moly – disaster.  I obviously didn’t realize that it would delete them OFF OF MY ENTIRE BLOG AS WELL.  I was so upset and it was all my doing. 

I hit the button, I was impatient, I messed up what I had been working so hard on for the past two months.  I was so proud of my blog and it was all gone.

In reality, this is not a big deal, I know.  But to me at that moment it was a GIGANTIC deal.  After many tears, and a day later, I have found the problem with my blog, fixed it, and have come to the realization that the pictures are all gone and I have to in a sense start over.

My goal is to keep going. Salvage what I can of the previous posts, and move on.  Grocery Lane doesn’t look awesome at the moment, however slowly but surely it will be back in full swing soon. 

Lesson learned.

 

Fair Food

We started a new tradition last night...or at least I hope it becomes a new tradition! 

We were treated to a Mexican feast last night at my Aunt Janie and Uncle Jerry's house.  Can you tell that our family get-togethers totally revolve around food?!? 

My Uncle Jerry recently purchased a hibachi type propane griddle that he wanted to test out.  They decided on a celebratory Christmas dinner of Fajitas and Mojitos. 

With the market lights hanging and the smell of sauteed peppers and onions in the air, it smelled like we were at the county fair.   Except, the food was even better.

The menu:

• Marinated Flank Steak and Chicken
• Grilled onions and peppers (red, yellow, green)
• Refried Beans
• Spanish Rice with tomatoes and green chilies
• Mild, Medium, Corn and Black Bean Salsas
• All the fixins:  tortillas, cheese, sour cream and homemade guacamole
• Sweet Tea and Mojitos with fresh mint

After a few days of fancy, rich, delicious food this low key feast was absolutely perfect. 

Finished off with left over Rum Cake and delicious Strawberry Cake straight out of the fridge, we have officially eaten ourselves into oblivion!

Fancy Schmancy

Caviar and crackers.
Champagne and strawberries.
Sterling and China.

We didn't have the first two fancy combinations for our Christmas Eve feast, but we did celebrate with the third. 

After heading to Christmas Eve Mass in the afternoon, my mom put out her best sterling silverware, thanks to Nana for polishing, and her beautiful Lenox china for our delicious fancy schmancy dinner.

On the menu:

• Cinnamon and Garlic Pork Loin
• Mashed Potatoes
• Green Beans
• Balsamic Glazed Brussel Sprouts
• Harvest Apples
• Rolls

and last but not least...Aunt Janie's Rum Cake for dessert!

It was delicious!

After dinner, Mike and I exchanged our ornaments (one of our traditions):

Mike got me this adorable apron ornament...

and I got him a campfire ornamnet. 

If you know my husband, this makes perfect sense...if you don't, here is a clue.

Merry Christmas!

Home for the Holidays

There is nothing better than to be home for the holidays.  Whether it is up north or down south, Mike and I both feel so blessed.  No work, no stress with good food and family.










Every time I come home my mom always has a delicious dinner planned with the whole family.  Last night it was my absolute-favorite-in-the-whole-world: 

Porcupine Meatballs. 

With only 3 ingredients, this simple meal has been part of our family since my mom was little, was a staple for me growing up, through college (my girls from Rollins love this recipe too) and even now it remains my number one comfort food.  I just love it.



However, Mike might even love it more than me…check out his plate!



Last night was the perfect start to our holiday weekend. We ate, drank, laughed and ended the night playing Yahtzee. 

Merry Christmas!!!

Porcupine Meatballs
Print this recipe!
1 1/2 to 2 lbs. ground beef (or ground sirloin for lower fat)
2 large cans tomato soup
1 box instant white rice
dried parsley
garlic powder

Directions:
Combine ground beef, 1 cup instant rice and half of a can of tomato soup to make the meatballs.  Add desired amount of garlic powder and dried parsley.  Form into balls and place in a roasting pan or any sauté pan with sides.  Brown meatballs over medium heat and turn halfway through.  Drain off any fat.



In a large bowl combine the rest of the rice and tomato soup.  Fill one of the empty tomato soup cans half way up with water and add to the rice mixture to dilute it a bit.  Mix together and pour over browned meatballs.

Cook over low heat for about 45 minutes or until rice is tender.  Serve with a salad and enjoy!

This recipe makes a lot, you can always adjust the measurements to fit whatever size party you need!