on the menu this week

Zucchini tomato frittata (no eggs involved) This was something of a bomb. I liked the zucchini filling, but I did not like the topping because it tasted just like eggs, and I hate eggs. Ange liked the baked "eggs" on top, but not the veggie filling. I am going to try again for him with a spinach-mushroom filling, cause this was really easy to make.


Butternut squash soup with spinach and black beans. I haven't decided if I like the black beans in it or not. I made this last week with kale and I really liked it. It is good with spinach, too. But kale is such a power food, that I am going to use it from now on. If you stir in the leafy greens at the very end of cooking, they don't overpower everything. When the soup is done, turn off the heat, stir in chopped greens, and cover. Let sit for a while.


Mini-chocolate "cheesecakes" (no cheese involved). This is the same recipe as the silky chocolate pie. I make these in mini-muffin form to keep myself from overeating them.


spicy bean chili: Just your basic chili recipe. Quick and easy.


Veggie "meat" loaf- I can't eat this, the texture is just like meatloaf.

somebody loves me

Looky what my honey gave me for our valentine-anniversary (22). Of course, he couldn't wait to give it to me. This is the best picture I can get with my cheap antique digital camera

graduation

Shanna, Matt, Savannah, and I went to SC this week for Joe's graduation. The weather was clear but very cold. We were able to spend Family Day (Thurs) and Graduation Day (Fri) together. On Thursday, we were not able to leave the base, but we had a nice time anyway. We went to the museum, went shopping at the PX, sat by a lake, and sat in the car when it got too cold. Joe had plenty of funny drill sargent stories to tell us. On Friday, after the graduation ceremony, the soldiers got a pass to leave the base for the rest of the day. We took Joe to Olive Garden for a late lunch/ early dinner. This morning (Sat) we headed home, while Joe headed to the airport for his flight to AZ. He has his cell phone back (for now), so it will be easier to stay in touch. Here are some pics of the trip:

Look at the icicles on the palm tree statue in the background.



This is Alpha Company lined up for graduation.


At the end of the ceremony each company marched by for review. Here is Joe in the middle.


proud momma



At the museum.



Joe and a friend.





Waiting for a table at Olive Garden.

veggie soup

I had lots of veggies in the fridge that needed to be cook before I leave, so the easiest thing to do was make a big pot of soup. Into the pot went: 2 cups of cooked navy beans, package of zucchini , package of yellow squash, 1 onion, 2 salad tomatoes, 2 plum tomatoes, 2 bay leaves, a couple of sprigs of fresh dill, 1 can of tomato paste, 4 carrots, 4 ribs of celery with leaves, 1/2 cup apple juice and enough water to cover. (I also added 1/2 package of spinach at the end of cooking.) I think I also added some salt-free seasoning. Enough water to cover, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until everything is cooked.



I left the zucchini and squash in big pieces. When they were soft, I picked them out with tongs and whizzed them in the food processor, and mixed them back into the soup. It came out a little plain, but ok.