Saturday, July 12, 2008

Sunday Dinner, July 13, 2008

Yup, it's time for Sunday Dinner again, believe it or not. I struggled long and hard with whether I was going to cook this week or eat out. I wailed and moaned and beat my chest trying to come to a decision. It was really painful too, that beating my chest thing.

You ain't buyin' it, huh? Me neither, and I just typed it!

Actually, we've pert neart ("pretty near to", almost) used up all our "eatin' out" money, so I'll be cooking this week and probably for the rest of the Sunday Dinners in this month.

As a matter of fact, I've already cooked a portion of Sunday Dinner and it's ready to be warmed up and added to the rest of this week's offerings.

I bought a family size package of hamburger earlier in the week when I did some grocery shopping, and when I was dividing it up into smaller amounts to go into freezer bags I set some aside to make homemade meatballs.

I made up the meatballs and put them on nonstick foil on a cookie sheet and baked them until they were browned and done. After they cooled I placed them in a zip top bag and put them in the fridge to keep until time for Sunday Dinner.

According to how many are here for Sunday Dinner I can heat up the whole package of meatballs or just a portion of them. If I don't use them all for Sunday Dinner I'll freeze the rest for a quick meal later. They're good with brown gravy, which is how I'm going to prepare them this time, with spaghetti and any way you'd use meatballs.

I'm going to cook a big pot of rice to serve along with the meatballs and gravy. I'm kind of hazy on the rest of the meal. I have some okra fresh from the garden that a neighbor gave us, and if I get some more ripe tomatoes I'll slice those to add to the table. The okra I'll shake with cornmeal and fry until it's golden brown and crispy. If needed I'll open some canned veggies to round out the meal.

I made some of my homemade refrigerator pickles this week that I'll put on the table as well. They're my own recipe that I've tweaked over the years and Lamar and Jessica love them. I use garden fresh cucumbers, sliced onion and garlic, black pepper, salt, vinegar and water.

I peel and slice the bigger cucumbers but the smaller ones I leave whole. I like the teeny little cucumbers best, the ones that still have the withered bloom on them, about 3 inches long or even smaller. My Mama liked those too, and she used to say they were so tiny they were still cryin' for their Mamas.

Sometimes I get a little fancier with them and add hot peppers, fresh dill if I have it, mustard seed, bay leaves and sometimes celery seed. They're not canned and sealed so they have to stay in the refrigerator. This is one of the times I wish I had more refrigerator space because I can only devote so much fridge space to pickles!

That's the menu for Sunday Dinner at Diane's Place. What are you doing for Sunday Dinner this week? If you'd like to participate, just share your menu/plans in the comments.I know that not all of you read my daughter JESSICA'S BLOG, so you may not know that she's still having some pretty serious female problems. She's having a particular problem that I won't just put out here for all the weirdos to search and find. She can't lift anything and has to be really careful about what she does. She may have to take iron supplements because she's anemic.

All you ladies can figure out what's going on by the clues I've given you, I'm sure. If things don't improve soon she'll have to go to the local emergency room or on to Little Rock for surgery. Her doctor thinks it's all due to a reaction to the shot they gave her to put her into false menopause and that it should stop soon. The whole reason for the shot in the first place was to stop that but it's doing the exact opposite!

(If all that is too vague for you and you're scratching your head wondering what's going on, shoot me an email and I'll try to enlighten you in a delicate manner.)

Bless her heart, Jessica is indeed my child. Nothing can be simple or easy it seems. Hopefully she'll be better soon, before they have to take drastic measures.

Anyway, Jessica couldn't work Friday or Saturday because of her female complaints so I didn't have Emmy either day. I miss not seeing Jessica, Jason and Emmy but I've enjoyed the rest and the time to myself.

Jessica can't really enjoy the time off because she's not feeling her best, plus she'll miss that money on her next paycheck. Lamar went with his aunt to Ash Flat for the day. His cousin lives there and she invited him up to celebrate her Mom's, Lamar's aunt's, birthday.

So I've had the entire day to myself, to do whatever I wanted to do. That's as rare as hen's teeth for me and I've thoroughly enjoyed it. It's after 5 pm and Lamar's not home yet, so supper is in limbo. That's code for "I haven't started anything for supper, and if Lamar's already eaten I'll just eat a sandwich or something quick and easy."

Of course, even if he hasn't had supper we may still have a sandwich or something quick and easy.

I am a sly devilish one, aren't I?If you've read my blog for very long you know I have a Saturday night routine: I still need to study my Sunday School lesson and do some cooking for tomorrow. I also have to figure out what we're doing for supper when Lamar gets home.

I'll close this by wishing you all a great weekend. May God bless you by meeting all your needs, and may you have enough to share.

27 comments:

Susie said...

Hi Diane,

I did read of Jessica's health issues and could pretty much figure out the situation. Has to be so uncomfortable. I've said a prayer for her..
Your Sunday dinner sounds good and I laughed at the baby cucumbers crying for Mama!
We're hosting Sunday dinner tomorrow. Bill is grilling chicken which will be marinating overnight, corn on the cob, salad and baby red potatoes.
Enjoy your Sunday dinner!
Love and ((hugs))

Jess said...

Dunno if we will make it or not to lunch. Depends on my sitiation, you know how that goes. As for your wonderful female problems that you have passed down..well take them back! lol....I will hopefully see you in the morning for church. Love you and thanks for checking on me.

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry to hear that Jess is having female problems. Hope that things improve soon.

I have no idea what we'll have for Sunday dinner. I have some chicken breasts in the refrigerator, so I can safely assume it will be chicken something. I never know if Shelby will be here for dinner or not - I can't remember the last time she sat down to a meal with us.

Lib said...

Hi Miz.Diane,
I just Love every post you write:o)
THis old Southern girl talks your talk!:o)
Glad you were able to get a Quite day!Hope you enjoyed it.
I've walked that mile in Jess shoes. My heart and prayers are with her!
I bought a Family pack of Ground beef ,just took a meatloaf out of the oven ,I was wondering what am I gonna fix with the other 1/2 you solved that Meatballs it will be. Thanks!
I have green beans with little taters(don't know if their crying for their Mama or not lol) that was a cute sayin' never heard it before.
I made slaw, slice toms., I'll slice onions when we eat.After church I'll bake a pone of cornbread maybe bis. too.
My Mom use to make fridge pickles on the line of yours. We all liked them, hadn't had them in yrs. I like the little cukes too.
Hope you have a Great Church service.May God Bless you and yours!
Love,Hugs,Blessins',Lib

Our Home Schooler and Jen said...

have a nice Sunday and new week
jen

Mary said...

Diane,

I'm so sorry that Jessica is going through this. I had my share of those problems in my day and am glad that part of my life is over, even though it took surgery to take care of it.

Your Sunday dinner sounds great. You always think of something delicious to serve. Makes me hungry for hamburger. LOL

I'm not sure what we are having for Sunday dinner, but it will be something easy, that's for sure. I just have no energy with all this pain in my knees.

The boys and I did have fun fishing and both of them were delighted to catch something. Brandon was excited about catching the biggest fish of his life.

Take care and enjoy your Sunday.
Blessings,
Mary

zztop357 said...

I know what Jessica is going though, for sure. I hope everything slows down and she feels better. It's amazing how much better you feel after a total hysterectomy. Isn't it Diane? I just wish she could have another baby before that.(if they want one)
I've been busy, busy, busy. I'm fixin to slow down for a while. I'm tired and hot, time to quit for a while.
I hope ya'll have a good time tomorrow. Love you sister,Donna

BDG-admin said...

The round meat-loaf sounds wonderful to me...

I'm sure your meat balls are better than any ole meat-loaf...

You tell Jessica that there is a big, ugly, 6'6", 354lb truck driver who has her on his prayer list.

It dont matter if I know what the need is... He does and we will leave it up to Him.

Just the same, I love you guys...

In Him, Luggs and Hove Gib

Aunt Jenny said...

Hi Diane! I always love your posts! Guess what? I made meatballs (in a pepper jelly sticky sauce) with rice for supper tonight (and mixed veggies).
For Sunday dinner tomorrow night we will be up at the lake camping (we are going out in the afternoon) and so I fried up a mess of chicken tonight and made a big potato salad. We will have that and watermelon for supper. Easy peasy. It will be nice to get out there...this packing up and getting stuff ready for the 6 of us is tiring!!
I need to get my Sunday school lesson ready. I teach the Sunbeam class (3 and 4 year olds) and get my tired old behind to bed. It has been a long day of getting camping stuff ready and driving the kids around to all their stuff. I will probably sleep good tonight!
Have a wonderful Sunday. I am keeping Jessica in my prayers.

Linds said...

Meatballs sound good. Hmmm. I have absolutely NO idea what I will be cooking, and as lunch is in about 3 hours, I need to get thinking! I have fresh sald stuff in the garden, so we will definitely be having salad.

I hope your daughter recovers from her problems soon, Diane.

Enjoy your dinner! And please tell me what okra is!

Nancy said...

Jessica and I have been emailing back and forth on Saturday, so I know of her problem. She is so young to be having such a rough time. I do pray it resolves very soon for her.

Sunday dinner here? I am alone and sometimes I cook, and sometimes I don't. I may fix some Shake 'n Bake chicken with baked potato and a vegetable for my supper. I never know til the time comes. I had my daughter and my ex here Thursday to eat, as my daughter was off this week as she starts a new job in another city on Monday. So Sunday I will be alone. I have several little things I plan on getting done, so it will be a busy day for me.

Have a blessed Sunday....and enjoy those meatballs! Sounds so good!!! I love meatballs!!!!

(((HUGS)))

Lucy Stern said...

Diane, The meatballs sound good. My family is not big on meatballs so I don't cook them very often, but I do like them. They sound really good with the brown gravy and rice.

I think I'll be cooking chicken in the crockpot, which I better get going NOW!...lol I have some collards and fresh brocklie to steam and a veggie plate. I made some banana pudding yesterday and we can have that for dessert.

I found a big bag of overripe bananas at the grocery store on Friday so I bought that and cooked all day yesterday. I made the banana pudding and nine loaves of banana bread. Bonnie and the grandkids have already destroyed one loaf. I have several friends that I plan to give bread to, so it won't last long.

Sorry Jessica is having problems again. Menopause is hard enough to go through without being thrown into it prematurely...I hope Jess doesn't have to have surgery, but if it helps it might be an option. My thoughts and prayers are with you both. I know how we moms worry, no need to say more.

Have a great week. (Glad you had some quiet time to yourself.)

Hootin Anni said...

Yesterday, late afternoon, as I took things out of the freezer for my Sunday cooking, I hafta tellya, you are the first one I thought of. I couldn't wait to see what'cher cooking for today. Meatballs. Yummy. Sounds delicious.

So, naturally as I rushed over here this morning to see what YOU are cooking I can't wait to tell you what I have planned.

Fried Ham and Sweet Potatoes with butter and cinnamon topping. One my hubby's favorites, so he's gonna be so pleased with me.

Hope your Sunday is blissful dear Diane.

Linda said...

You have a blessed sunday too Diane. I'll be praying that Jessica will feel better soon - and that she won't have to go to the hospital.
Sunday dinner sounds really good. I think we'll have cube steaks and mashed potatoes.
Hugs..

kansasrose said...

Sweet Jessica is in my prayers, hon. I will light a candle for her at mass. Your Sunday meal sounds wonderful. The okra...brings back good memories of my Southern good cook neighbor lady and friend Lou from Oklahoma. She grew the okra patch and rolled them in saltine crackers, white pepper, fried up in butter in her big cast iron skillet. Mmmmm...then she put some kind of hot sauce on them. I sure could go for a mess of fried okra. I am smoking a brisket in our smoker..rub it with a spicy beef rub, barbeque sauce, honey over hickory chips. It should be done for supper. Makes good sandwiches for several days, or sliced cold in a salad. Love ya, Jen

Lisa Sherrill Roach said...

I left Jessica a comment to let her know I've been praying for her. I will be sure to post some pictures for you when we get moved in. I can't wait!! I love hearing about the fresh garden veggies you cook. Nothing beats fried okra and a homegrown tomato! Have a wonderful week! Love & Hugs!!

Anonymous said...

Sorry for the problem Jessica have - I'll visit hers!

I would go for meatballs of course - the picture makes my mouth watering. These looks very much like the Swedish once. We call the meat cakes remember and I might recall my post where my bonus child made them to us last summer:
http://www.terella.no/2007/06/30/home-made-meat-cakes-from-norway/

Sam said...

As rare as hen's teeth??? I love it!! I'm going to start saying that one myself and we'll see what kind of looks I get! :-)

Meatballs and gravy sounds delicious! I hope you had a wonderful Sunday.

I'm praying for Jessica, of course.

Sammy

Betty said...

Hi Diane,

How did your Sunday dinner go? I like the menu except for the meat balls. I love tomatoes and fried okra. Actually I like okra any way you fix it.

I'm praying Jessica will be okay.

Betty

Diane said...

I just posted to Jessica's blog. I pray she gets some relief. She's so young. Female problems are no fun...

The Sunday dinner sounded great! We had Chinese takeout...lol. It was quite tasty, though. I had General Tso's Chicken, extra hot. LOVE IT!! Steve had to drop two Zantacs. Hot, spicy food...yum. We have several latin friends and I love eating their authentic cuisine. I don't cook a lot of the really hot food myself. It's always hilarious to see my friend Silvia with her bottle of hot sauce. LOL

Take care!

Hugs,
Diane (Too)

Dawn said...

WE had a quick cook-out on the patio, because I had to leave at 2:00 for our church convention. Right now I"m in a hotel room having a good time with my sister and our friend. It's good.

Barb said...

Poor Jessica. That girl just can't get a break. I hope they get this figured out before she ends up in surgery. I've been down that road.

All the fresh vegetables you talk about make me want to rip out my backyard and plant stuff. I'm sure the property management company would thank me for that. LOL

It's Monday. I'm trying to even remember dinner yesterday. Actually, Rob had leftovers and I didn't eat. Every single plastic storage container I own is full of something leftover from Mandy and Aaron's visit. And I went to bed at 7:30.

And a good time was had by all. LOL

Lyndy said...

Diane,

Your meatballs sound yummy. Hope y’all enjoyed.

Continuing to pray for Jessica. I know that has to be so painful and frustrating.

Love and Hugs, Lyndy

Nashe^ said...

MEATBALLS!!!!!

Mountain Mama said...

I haven't made meatballs and gravy for years, but when I read about yours it reminded me that years ago we used to get some in a can, It seems like Franco-American made them. We all loved them over hot mashed potatoes.

Just so you know, I am praying for Jessica.

Blessings

Anonymous said...

I've not made meatballs in a looong time. Making me hungry! :o)

Sending up prayers on Jessica's behalf...

mer@lifeat7000feet said...

Hi Diane,

I was in your neck of the woods last week visiting my mom. I wanted to call you but as you can imagine, my time was very full and very busy. I did get to eat at Ron's though!!! It was excellent. And I thought of you many, many times while there. I even had a comment from Jessica on my blog...would have been fun to meet you both!

Blessings to you.