Saturday, April 19, 2008

Sunday Dinner, April 20, 2008 & Other Blatherings

I was holding my breath as I clicked "Upload Image" for my Sunday Dinner graphic, but thankfully it uploaded fine, although a little slower than I'd like. I don't know about anybody else but Demon Blogger and I, we've had some "issues" lately.

Of course I probably just jynxed myself.

Moving on to the subject at hand: Sunday Dinner. Well. We are indeed having Sunday Dinner here at Diane's Place. And I'm cooking again0 this week. I know! Will wonders never cease?!

If the graphic didn't clue you in, I'm cooking a big ol' pot of pinto beans, plus some weinies and sauerkraut, a big cast iron skillet of MY HOMEMADE BUTTERMILK CORNBREAD, and maybe some cream style corn or candied carrots. Just depends on how many are here for dinner and if anybody wants anything besides beans, cornbread and weinies and kraut. According to who's here and their tastes I may substitute another veggie for the corn or carrots.

Your turn: What's for Sunday Dinner at your place this week? Just share your plans/menu in the comments if you'd like to participate this week.The book giveaway I mentioned in my last post is now set up for this coming Wednesday, April 23rd. I'll be reviewing the book as part of a book tour and I'll also offer a free copy of the book. It's a good selection to give for Mother's Day, just in time for you to either give it to your mother or another deserving lady, or to keep for yourself. More on that on Wednesday...I've had Emmy all day today plus I did 5 loads of laundry, folding, hanging and putting it away, and I cooked supper tonight. Diane is TARD tonight!

For supper I quartered a whole chicken and smoked it on my gas grill. I put hickory wood chunks, soaked in water, on a piece of foil that I perforated with a knife tip. I placed the hickory on the heated side of the grill along with a heat proof container of water to keep the chicken moist. I put the chicken on the other side of the grill, leaving the burners unlit on that side. I adjusted the flame under the hickory until it was just hot enough to get a good smoke from the hickory.

It took about 1½-2 hours for the chicken to get done. It was juicy and succulent inside with that smoky brown skin on the outside. I cooked a pot of JASMINE RICE (click on the link if you're wondering what jasmine rice is) and scrambled some egg*beaters with some drained canned spinach for the remainder of our Saturday supper. It was good if I do say so myself.I took a few pics this week that I want to share with you. The first three I took last Tuesday. I grilled pork chops and pork steak for our noon meal and CECIL and I were chatting as I watched the grill. It was a gorgeous day, although still a little chilly.

Here's CECIL saying "cheese!" for the camera.
That's the back of the apartments behind mine.Have you ever seen a bluer sky?I just liked the contrast between the rusty
but still trusty old red wagon and these wild
violets that I planted between some concrete
pavers at my back door. The dandelion
planted itself there but I think it fits right in.And JESSICA took this pic for me at
church last Sunday.
Emmy absolutely refused to look at the camera.
Better luck next time...Cecil took this pic of me and Jessica last Sunday.
Jessica had just gotten her hair cut. It's the first
time in years that her hair has been this short.
I think it looks really cute on her, and she
loves that it's lighter, cooler and a lot less
trouble to care for every day.
Jessica is posting fairly regularly again on HER BLOG for those who might be interested. Just click on the bold link to go to JESSICA'S BLOG.

She's actually posting a little more often than I have been lately, to be honest here. This is one of those times when I've been really busy with the things of life. Between watching Emmy several hours most days and all day on Saturday, church twice on Sunday and Wednesday nights, taking care of my day to day business and cooking meals most days, it doesn't leave me a lot of leisure time. I'm also working on a full size afghan for a friend during the rare times I watch television.

Then factor in the Spring cleaning and housework I've been doing and it really doesn't leave much time for blogging lately. All the things I neglected in the past so I could blog have caught up with me, and it's time to pay the piper. Due to my arthritis I can't just put my head down and work until I get everything done like I used to in healthier times. I have to pace myself and work on it a little at a time, as I feel like it.

I have been reading everyone's blogs and commenting as I can though. Even when I don't post myself I still read and comment when I get a few minutes. If you haven't heard from me recently I should be by to visit soon. I'm trying to make the rounds and stay caught up with my reading and commenting.There's beans to cook and my Sunday School lesson to study still yet, though I have already had my Saturday night shower, CECIL and SISTER, if you read this. ;-)
Inside joke, y'all.

May God meet all your needs, and may you have enough to share.

27 comments:

Our Home Schooler and Jen said...

wow!!! youve been busy today Diane

looks like youve been having some very nice weather

have a good week Diane
blessings
Jen

Anonymous said...

Here is a superfriendly anonymous comment. I love your blog and your family, I love checking in now and then, and it is great to know where to come and get dinner ideas-those of us in the early years of marriage are always looking for family-pleasers! Keep up the great work and God Bless.

Susie said...

You are one super busy lady! I just love the picture of you and Jessica. You look so much alike :)
You're cooking again? Me too! It's our week to host Sunday dinner and I'm making tamale pie, tossed salad, Mexican corn and flour tortillas. C will be bringing dessert. It's always fun.
Enjoy your Sunday and your time with family.
love and hugs!
xo

Mary said...

Diane,

Your Sunday dinner sounds delicious. I'm not sure what I'm going to have, but am thinking maybe fried cabbage and beans.

Jordan felt better for a little while but got to feeling poorly again. I had quite a time getting him settled in for the night.

I know what you mean about doing a little at a time. With my back the way it is, I can only work for so long and have to rest. If I overdo I'm in pain for days.

Nice to visit with you. Take care of yourself.

Blessings,
Mary

Lucy Stern said...

Diane, we are celebrating my daughters 30th birthday, so I am cooking all her favorite foods. We'll have pot roast, carrots, potatos, steamed squash, "granny" salda and of course cake and ice cream. I forgot to buy some french bread so we will have to do without. The rest of the immediate family will come over and we'll have a great time. BTW: my husband loves the fried cabbage and we had it again last Thursday night.

You and Jess look so much alike. There is no way she can be mistaken for Cecil's little girl..lol

Have a great day tomorrow and a great week, visit when you can.

Anonymous said...

Hi Miz Diane!

Nice to catch up with you today. I hear you on the spring cleaning. I've been doing quite a bit of that myself!

Weather here is finally great so been doing outside work too ;)

For supper today I wanted to grill out but the spring showers have decided they wanted to show up so I'll be frying those burgers I reckon...along side of them I love steak fries and I'm trying those new Bush Grilling Beans.

♥Much love to you and yours♥

mer@lifeat7000feet said...

Sunday dinner, hmmmm? I think we're going to grill some bratwurst and I'll figure something to serve with it!

Blogger has been giving me major grief this week too. I can't even log in to post. *sigh*

Enjoy your lovely weather and those blue skies. Beautiful!

Sister said...

Oh Diane, how it does my heart good to read that you're cooking Sunday dinner! I love to imagine your home all abuzz after church with wonderful family, friends, and flavors.

And thanks for letting me know about your Saturday night "ritual". Maybe next week you can give yourself a spa night. :)

Have a great week!

xo

Betty said...

Hi Diane,

I love what you are having for Sunday dinner. Pinto beans, onions and buttermilk cornbread are my favorite thing to eat.

Enjoyed seeing the pictures that were made and posted here. Yes, that is one more blue sky.

I understand how busy you are, and I don't think anything about it when you don't visit me often although I do enjoy your comments.

I am giving an award to everyone on my blogroll. So stop by if you have time and pick it up if you like it.

Linda said...

Hi Diane,
I have missed you, but I sure do understand. I think there are quite a few of us who have cut down on our blogging time in order to do the other things in our lives that have priority. I do love catching up with you on sunday though.
Dinner sounds great (I'm taking the day off myself). I tried four new recipes this week and just decided I earned a night off :-)
Love the pictures. Jessica's new do is really cute. And you look so pretty in red! Of course Emmy is as adorable as ever.
We're heading to Houston this week to watch the five grandkids for a couple of days. Can't wait. We just don't get to see them often enough.
Have a blessed week Diane.

Unknown said...

Diane: We had helicopter trouble, which is why we didn't show up for Sunday dinner last week and land in your yard. But one day we'll surprise you! :D

Jess said...

If michael manning is coming by in a helicopter...well he better take me for a ride....and I mean it! lol...that sounds fun actually. And thank you for the advertisement! Didn't make it to church this morning....but will be there tonight Lord's willing. Hope lunch was good.....Love you and see you this afternoon.

Brenda said...

Hi Diane,
Grilled hamburgers for us today. Don't know for sure which sides, but I'd better think something up pretty quick!

Beautiful blue sky! The trees around here are budding YAY!

I completely understand about needing to get stuff done instead of blogging. Cuz blogging is so fun before you know it a lot of time has gone by. And nothing...in the home...to show for it!

Have an awesome week!
Brenda :)

Anonymous said...

When you are done with those beans and cornbread, come see me ;-D

Sue Seibert said...

Fried chicken, baked potato, lima beans, salad, and maybe some of that delicious looking cornbread of yours!

Dawn said...

I put a pork roast in the oven at 6 this morning and it was delicious by noon - "real" mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, "homemade" (Rhodes brand) wheat bread, and fresh strawberries.

It is a beautiful spring day (two in a row!) - we went to the zoo yesterday with all 4 little girlies and their mommy. Quite a task, but lots of fun.

Sunday is good - just don't stop doing it! We love our weekly visits. Many have slowed down. I still try for 3 a week, but doesn't always happen.

Have a wonderful week! We probably have the same private family joke about Saturday nights.

nancy said...

Your dinner sounds good! I cooked a roast beef the other day in the oven and put about 2 pounds that was leftover the crockpot last night with a sauce I make that is just real savory. It fell apart cooking and like to kept me up all night it smelled so good. We had it over mashed potatoes with vegetables on the side. Scrumptious.
I love it that you are sharing the pictures. I think Jessica looks younger with her haircut. It looks really cute. I can see you're getting into good shape. I'm so happy about that.
I hope you have a great week. Enjoy your grandbaby. I've been spending a lot of time with mine.
Love,
Nancy

Dick said...

We are eating at home today. Pat picked out a real good looking beef roast and will add baked potatoes and corn or peas. We don't usually have a desert but maybe there will be strawberry shortcake today. Even with the lousy weather, we can eat well!

Lesa said...

We had fried chicken, pinto beans, buttermilk cornbread-(is there any other kind?), hominy, mashed potatoes, and turnip greens. I am still stuffed! I may not eat again until breakfast. Well-maybe a bowl of ice cream in a few minutes to hold me over! Hope you had a great day!

Emmy looks so cute in pink and brown! She is a doll! She looks alot like my niece. I'll have to post a picture of her on my blog.

Have a great week!

Barb said...

A big old pot of blackeyed peas and cornbread muffins...that's what I cooked today.

And goodness, Diane. You don't have to explain yourself - I think it's great that life is interfering with blogging. Good grief. If we don't have a life, what on earth would we post about anyway?

I love, love that photo of you and Jess. It's a truly beautiful mother-daughter photo and I hope you print that one out and frame it.

xoxo

MightyMom said...

well, forget the kraut, but beanie weanies and creamed corn make it almost worth the trip from here to there!

Jada said...

Great pics! Boy, I'm TARD just from reading all that you've been doing!

We are now having Spring, finally, here in PA! I love your purple flowers. =)

Maybe I'll update my blog sometime this week with the big news in our family! My sister is engaged!! I am so happy for her. She's been a widow for nearly 7 years and I've been praying for a godly, good man for her and her son. And God answered that prayer! She's marrying a pastor with two girls on August 1, so we will now have some nieces in our family!

Take care, and enjoy your week!

Hugs,
~Jada

Jada said...

Great pics! Boy, I'm TARD just from reading all that you've been doing!

We are now having Spring, finally, here in PA! I love your purple flowers. =)

Maybe I'll update my blog sometime this week with the big news in our family! My sister is engaged!! I am so happy for her. She's been a widow for nearly 7 years and I've been praying for a godly, good man for her and her son. And God answered that prayer! She's marrying a pastor with two girls on August 1, so we will now have some nieces in our family!

Take care, and enjoy your week!

Hugs,
~Jada

Anonymous said...

The baby is looking great.

Beans and Cornbread... One of my all time favorites. My daddy liked to make'em for Wednesday night b4 church eatin'.

I take a Saterday Night bath every week weather I need it or not... lol

BDG

Anonymous said...

Wowie Diane!

You've been busy! Sounds like good stuff going on though. Your Sunday dinner sounds delicious. I'm still having trouble eating my regular foods, so I haven't been enjoying dinner too much these days. I'm slowly feeling my energy come back though, so hopefully my appetite will return soon too. My husband has been incredibly patient with the fact that I prefer not to enter the kitchen.

I love the pictures! The one of you and Jessica is just lovely. Her new haircut really is adorable! And Emmy is getting SO big! What a cutie!

Have a great week, Diane!

xo,
Sammy

Mountain Mama said...

Hello Diane. Your Sunday dinner sounds so good. I have some Kraut I need to use. Maybe I will do it tomorrow with a potato and some polish sausage.
Like you I haven't been doing as much blogging as I would like. Spring is here even though we have had snow for the past four days it isn't sticking thank goodness!! There is so much to do outside. I need to get my garden tilled and planted soon, and weeds are going wild in my flower gardens so that is keeping me busy too.
I enjoy hearing from you when you have time.
God bless you and yours,
Love ya,
Bev

Jan/lost-strayed-or-stolen.blogspot.com said...

OOh Diane, red is *your* color! How pretty you look! BTW, I just wrote about our weekend, and what we had for super Saturday evening, which included a pot of baked beans instead of pintos, but it was good nonetheless!