Menu Plan Monday

Our leaves are really starting to turn and a fall nip is indeed in the air. Perhaps it's time to begin introducing some "comfort food favorites" into the weekly plan. Mac and cheese is one of my favorites!

Check out Laura's website for some more recipes and great menu planning ideas.

Enjoy!

Stacy

Monday: Dijon Pork Cutlets with Acorn Squash (another fall favorite)

Tuesday: BBQ'd Asian glazed salmon with a big garden salad

Wednesday: Four cheese Macaroni and Cheese with leftover salad

Thursday: General Tsao's Chicken with Jasmine Rice

Old Photo Friday: Autzen Stadium Memories

Date: September 2001
Location: Autzen Stadium, Eugene, OR
Who: Simon Parry (visiting from Australia), Stacy, Jimmy Willis and Sandra at the Isler & Company annual tail-gator.
What: Big game! Ducks vs. highly ranked USC (and we kicked their butts). Our nation was in mourning after the attacks of 9/11 and the football game gave us something to cheer about again.

The ducks are playing some good football, but I know it is early in the season.

Enjoy!
Stace

Recipe of the Week: Yellow Squash Fritters

Squash Fritters

I am sure many of you have quite a few of these from your summer garden. I saw this recipe on one of my favorite cooking blogs a few weeks back and thought that they sounded like a great ROTW.

Enjoy!
Stacy

(makes 6 large fritters)

INGREDIENTS:
4 yellow squashes, grated
1/2 Vidalia onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1/2 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1 egg
1/2 cup whole wheat pancake mix (or use ww flour)
1/4 cup whole wheat bread crumbs
1/2 cup shredded cheese (half Parmesan and half sharp cheddar)
salt and pepper to taste

METHOD:
1. Grate squash in a food processor or using a box grater.
2. Salt squash and let it sit in a strainer over a bowl for about 1/2 hour.
3. In the meantime, saute the onions and peppers in a large skillet. When onions are transparent and soft, add spices.
4. After 1/2 hour, squeeze the squash hard until most of the water comes out. Combine squash, onions peppers, egg, pancake mix, bread crumbs and cheese in a large bowl. Salt and pepper to taste.
5. Form into patties and dredge in a little more pancake mix. Pan fry in olive oil until golden.

Serve as a burger in buns, or in a pita with tomato and avocado slices.

Image courtesy of Google

Saying goodbye to Tacoma

Brian and I spent our last weekend together in University Place, packing up our Tacoma life and looking forward to starting fresh in West Seattle. Brian begins the move on Wednesday with the official "big move" on Saturday.

Brian's not the least bit nostalgic about saying goodbye to Tacoma, but I am. There are quite a few places that I am really going to miss.

Here are a few memories.....

Foss Waterway, Chihuly Museum of Glass and the autumn afternoon I spent exploring downtown Tacoma while Brian worked.The Ale House.....pub trivia and great hamburgers.

Gig Harbor only 10 minutes away! Off-the-cuff trips to see the wine lady and grab lunch at the Tides, walk along the harbor and window shop.Chambers Bay.......

I know we will be closer to Alki and Greelake, but Chambers Bay is one great walk I will really miss.

Titlow Beach and the Beach Tavern......within walking distance to Westridge. A great place to grab an afternoon ale and hang out with some colorful locals.

Westridge sunsets......in the winter time from the back deck we could see the Puget Sound.

Goodbye to Tacoma and all its memories!

Enjoy!

Stacy

Brian's B-Day

We had a quiet birthday evening last Monday night (Sept. 1st). Brian and I were tired from our weekend in Thousand Oaks, Los Angeles traffic, early morning plane rides and our first visit with Maile.

Brian always makes out like a "fat rat". Lottery scratch-offs from my parents, two CD's and two polo shirts from moi and a really funny e-card from Kerry and Julie.

I think he had a really great day!

Enjoy!
Stacy

Menu Plan Monday!

No post last week as I was supposed to be in Florida, but the hurricane changed our plans. I am really excited to be back planning the menu for Rebecca Lane this week.

Check out Laura and all her foodie friends for more great menu ideas!

Sunday: Herb Crusted Roast Chicken with Seasonal Roasted Veggies and Creamy Cole Slaw

Monday: Meatloaf w/Chive Mashed Potatoes and green beans

Tuesday: Homemade Chicken Pot Pie (with leftovers from the roast)

Wednesday: Curried Scallops with Brown Rice

Thursday: Feta Stuffed Chicken Burgers with Sweet Potato Fries

Enjoy!

Stacy

Lee/Meager Reception

I think we were all really blown away by the reception site. It was the home of a doctor and friend of the Meager family (a member of their church) who warmly opened up his home to host the reception.

The decorations were beautiful....orchids on every table in a tall glass vase. Tables with white table clothes and candles. The most amazing views from high above the hills surrounding the town of Camarillo, California.

The garden setting framed by orange, avocado and pomegranate trees......wildflowers and cactus.

A gazebo just perfect for a beautiful wedding cake.

The Father of the Bride makes his beautiful toast!

The happy couple, moments before leaving on their Virgin Islands honeymoon.

A day worth cherishing for a very long time.

Enjoy!
Stacy

Introducing Maile Marie

Aunt Stacy and Maile Marie

Brian and I finally got to meet 2 week old Maile Marie on September 1st.


She's so adorable. Very tiny and such a little angel.



I think I am going to enjoy being an "Auntie".


Kui and his new "pup"

Enjoy!

Stacy

Lee/Meager Wedding: More Photos!

The Lee Boys

After the wedding, family and friends gathered outside the church to offer congratulations and pose for some very special photos....

Brian and Kerry (father of the bride) Uncle Ken offering his congratulations

Keenan Werner (Heidi and Casey's Son) -Bible Boy

Carrie and Alex Lee

Amy, Carrie, Alex and Ken Lee

The Wedding Party

I especially liked the ones taken outside of the entire wedding party. I just stood behind the official photographer and "stole" some of her awesome shots.

After all the photos were taken, Brian and I headed off the Camarillo, California for the reception. Camarillo is named for Adolfo Camarillo, one of the few Californians to preserve the city's heritage after the arrival of Anglo settlers. Camarillo is located in the eastern Oxnard Plain, with the Santa Susana Mountains to the north, the Camarillo Hills to the northwest, the Conejo Valley to the east, and the western reaches of the Santa Monica Mountains to the south.

Reception photos to follow......

Enjoy! Stacy

Old Photo Friday: Grandma Virginia and Bea

Date: January 1965
Location: Kitchen of Hilyard Street house - Eugene, OR
Who: My Grandma Virginia and her mother, My Great-Grandma Bea
What: Obviously smoking, probably drinking screwdrivers and most likely playing cards.

It's Grandparents day on September 7th and I am a bit sad. I no longer have any living grandparents. In their honor, I wanted to share this picture.

Enjoy!

Stace

Recipe of the Week: Arroz Frito/Cuban Fried Rice

Editors Note: My trip to Florida was cancelled late on Tuesday night. ING decided not to take the risk in hosting the conference in the path of a hurricane. Since this dish still sounds yummy......I'll leave it as this weeks ROTW.

Since I am currently in Florida (NOT), I thought I'd find a Cuban inspired easy ROTW. I came across Arroz Frito or Cuban Fried Rice, which sounds yummy!

The Chinese settled not only in California at the turn of the century; many went on to Cuba, where some opened restaurants and influenced Cuban cooking. In Miami, many Cuban dishes have an oriental touch, for instance this favorite, sold at cafes and cantinas everywhere.

Fried Rice (Arroz Frito)

Ingredients:
3 eggs
soy sauce
3 teaspoons cooking oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 ribs of celery, chopped, with 2 or 3 chopped leaves
1/2 cup of ham, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 can of bean sprouts, OR 1 cup fresh bean sprouts
1 small package of tiny shrimp (optional)
2 to 3 green onions (scallions), depending on size
3 to 4 cups of cooked rice
3/4 cup low-fat chicken broth
marinated tofu cubes, optional

Directions:
1. Break the eggs into a bowl. Add 1 teaspoon of soy sauce and stir slightly.
2. Heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a Teflon skillet. Pour in just enough of the egg to make an egg "tortilla" the thickness of a tortilla or crepe. When solid, flip and brown very slightly.
3. Remove to a cutting board and repeat, spraying the pan again, until all the eggs are cooked. 4. When all the egg "tortillas" are cooked, roll up like a jelly roll. Slice into thin shreds and set aside. 5. Place two teaspoons of oil in a Teflon pan over medium heat. When hot, add onion and celery. (If ham isn't cooked already, add the ham now.) Sauté until the onion is soft but not brown.
6. Add the minced garlic, bean sprouts and shrimp and continue to sauté. Slice the white part of the scallions thinly, and add to pan.
7. Add the cooked rice and sauté for about five minutes, stirring frequently, until the rice is heated through.
8. Add the chicken broth and the green part of the scallion, thinly sliced. Stir and cook for two or three minutes more.
9. Gently fold in the shredded egg and the tofu cubes (optional).

Serve
Image courtesy of google

Lee/Meager Wedding

Brian's niece, Ericka was married to Greg Meager on Sunday in Thousand Oaks, California.

Brian and I flew down on Saturday for the weekend.

It was nice to catch up with Brian's brothers and family and witness a wonderful event.

Alex Lee with Uncle Brian

It was a lovely ceremony. Ericka's sister Heidi was Matron of Honor and Brian's neice, Alex was a bridesmaid. The ceremony started a 4PM on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

Greg's father, who is the pastor of their church officiated the ceremony. There was not a dry eye in the house including the bride and groom.

Best Man (Greg's brother) and sister-in-law

Heidi and Casey's Daughter, Hailey

Alex Lee (Bridesmaid)

Ericka was an absolutely stunning bride. Her dress was simplistically elegant and very fitting for such a remarkable young woman.

After the wedding, we all gathered outside for congratulations and special photo ops!

More photos to come............

Enjoy!
Stacy

Thousand Oaks Picnic/Pre-Wedding

Kerry, Brian and Ken Lee

The Lee/Meager clan hosted a pre-wedding picnic last Saturday afternoon the day before the big wedding.

What a cool idea to get everyone together for the day. It was extra special for Brian to be with both his brothers and their families.

It was a beautiful day in Thousand Oaks (about 40 miles) NW of downtown Los Angeles

So much happiness.......

Carrie and Alex Lee (Ken and Amy's girls)

So much love........

So much to celebrate.......

So happy to be a part of it all........

Julie (Kerry's wife) Alex, Ken, Amy and Carrie @ IHOP

The morning of the wedding we all met up for breakfast and spent some time out by the pool with Brian's brother Ken.

Enjoy!
Stacy