Friday, July 23, 2010

Wild week

Things have been a little crazy around here. I am still looking for a job. No luck yet.
I helped get our daughter's family ready to go on vacation to Canada. I hope they have a great time seeing their other family. I threw a dinner party for some out of town friends. We drove to Rock Island so Jan could do an audit.(150 miles each way). And I am working on two surprise projects. A baby sweater for friends who are expecting in Oct. and my very first quilt. The quilt is another baby project. No. no one in the family is expecting. With lots of help from "Aunt Mmmmm" I have completed the top for the quilt.
This isn't the one I made, it's the one I fell in love with at the store. I'll put up pics of mine when its finished.
We are also getting ready to take a trip to the Boston area. Jan has a few audits to do there too. This summer is just flying away. So much to do. I'll keep you posted.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Finally



Here is that picture of Jambalaya I promised. I think there is a limit to how much I can post in one day.
(I told you I would get this darn thing posted.)

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Problems

There seems to be a problem here. I can't get my pictures to post. It seems more and more like an operator problem. I am sorry. I will try again.

Monday, July 5, 2010

Jambalaya

Hubby does not like onions. So when I cook for him I leave out the onions.
Here is a Jambalaya recipe that he is fond of.Feel free to add onions if you like.


I start by browning up the chicken parts. Here I used 4 thighs.

I also browned up about 1 lb of andouille sausage that I had cut into 1/4 inch rounds.


I chopped up 1 red bell pepper, 6 stalks of celery, about 8 mushrooms quartered and 4 green onions finely chopped for garnish. (Just for me)







1 lb andouille sausage
4 chicken thighs
1 red bell pepper
6 stalks celery
(onions if you like 2 yellow finely chopped)
1/2 pound mushrooms quartered
3T cooking oil
4T flour
1 small can tomato paste
about 30 oz chicken stock
2 bay leaves (dry)
1 tsp basil (dry)
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
3 to 4 cloves of garlic finely chopped
2 1/2 cups long grain rice (I use Uncle Bens)
4 green onions for garnish

Brown the chicken in a little oil. Set aside. Brown the Sausage in the same pan. Set this aside.
In a stock pot use the 3T oil and the 4T flour to make a Roux. (Brown the flour in the oil) Do this slowly over low heat stirring all the time. Keep cooking this until it turns the color of light brown sugar. Yes it is worth the trouble.
Add all the veggies except the green onions. Continue to cook until the veggies are tender. Add the tomato paste.Stir and continue to cook. Add the chicken stock. Stir and let come to a boil slowly.Add the chicken and sausage stirring well. Bring back to boil.Then add the seasoning and garlic. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes.
Add the rice. Cover and simmer until rice is done, about 20 minutes. Fluff and serve.

The program won't let me add any more pictures. So I'll have to post one later.
Our 4th of July was wonderful. Jas smoked some meat. Everyone brought something to share. My job was desserts.





Yes there were Popsicles and cupcakes and watermelon too. Something for everyone.
We even saw fireworks.

Everyone had a good time.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Your turn

Happy 4th of July everyone.
How about posting what Independence Day means to you.
It would be nice to hear from everyone!