From My Kitchen: November 2021

 

Our household has changed a lot over the past year. All of our sons have moved back home during the year (not at the same time), and then a couple moved out. MS, who lived in LA for the past few years, moved home and brought his palate with him. One of the recipes he brought to me is Chicken Pad Thai. 

Granted, that isn't the best presentation, but I can tell you that it tastes amazing. I found the recipe on Cooking Classy. While Jaclyn admits this is not the "traditional" Pad Thai, it uses common ingredients found in all grocery stores. The hardest thing to find would be bean sprouts. If you've never bought them, they can be found in the refrigerated section of the produce department. We've made this dish twice and haven't put bean sprouts in them. The first time we forgot we had them and the second time I forgot to put them on my list. No matter; since I don't know what it tastes like with them, they weren't missed. 

I need to note that in the above picture, I didn't use the right kind of rice noodles. I bought the angel hair noodles, but you need thicker noodles. MS also put in some "Slap ya mama" seasoning which added the slightest kick. MS couldn't taste it, but I detected a trace. Word of warning: if you try this seasoning and aren't a fan of spicy, use sparingly.

Chicken Pad Thai is a quick dinner. Chopping the vegetables was the most time-consuming part of the recipe. This is definitely going on our meal rotation.

Blessings Hodgepodge

 

Well, it's been a while since I've had the chance to blog...or participate in the Hodgepodge. Joyce provides the questions, we provide the answers. To see how others answered, click here. 

1. It's often said we should be grateful for small blessings. What is one small blessing you are feeling especially grateful for today?

Time. Maybe it's not such a small blessing, though.

2. How do you feel about leftovers, not just on Thanksgiving but after any meal? Favorite thing to make/eat using your Thanksgiving leftovers? 

I love to eat leftovers for my work lunch. There's no need to make anything out of Thanksgiving leftovers; I just like reliving the dinner!

3. Sherwin Williams unveiled it's 2022 Color of the Year-Evergreen Fog. Are you a fan? Would I find this mid-tone gray green shade anywhere in your house? Does your house need painting? Inside or out? What one space is most in need of a paint job? Are you a do-it-yourselfer or do you hire a professional? 

That's green??? We have a similar color in our living room. The inside of our house really needs some paint, especially the living room, hallway, and master bedroom. After painting every single room in our house with several coats before we moved in, I'm all for hiring it out. I painted the regular bedrooms but had someone paint our kitchen and it was well worth the money.

4. What is one aspect of the way you were parented that you are grateful for today? 

Routines. Or schedules. Very consistent routines/schedules, for sure. There are way too many kids who don't have that consistency and they are a mess. 

5. Write an acrostic for the word-thankful

Time with family

Highways are calling

Always a fun time

Napping is required

Kidding around

Football games aplenty

Unending chatter

Lots of love!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

It's so hard to believe that it's already Thanksgiving! The trees around here have been stunning over the past couple of weeks. This is my favorite fall tree in the park next to my house. It's almost like there's a light shining down right on it!