Mmm....Dinner and Football

This is my first post of the year...thought it would be one about when I expect in the year to come, but I have not gotten my thoughts organized on that yet...so instead you get to hear about the dinner we made tonight that was oh, so good...

We were originally going to have chili dogs and tater tots...but I woke up wanting something more healthy so we went with Tuna Burgers, Sweet Potato fries, and a spinach casserole.

The Tuna Burger is easy...we put our tuna steak in the food processor and then add this seasoning mix from Emeril, on the bun we put his soy mayo also.

Emeril's Burger Seasoning

2 ½ tablespoons paprika

2 tablespoons table salt

2 tablespoons garlic powder

1 tablespoon onion powder

2 teaspoons black pepper

2 teaspoons ground mustard

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir to blend thoroughly. Store in an airtight container. Use 2 to 3 teaspoons per pound of ground beef, turkey, or chicken.

Dried herbs, such as basil, thyme, oregano, marjoram, or sage may also be added depending on the flavor profile desired.

Soy Mayo

1/4 cup plus

1 1/2 teaspoons soy sauce

1/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup mayonnaise

In a very small saucepan combine the remaining soy sauce and the sugar and cook until reduced to a syrup, 2 to 3 minutes. The soy-sugar mixture should coat the back of a spoon. Set aside to cool completely. When cooled, add 1 1/2 tablespoons of the soy glaze to the mayonnaise and refrigerate until ready to serve the burgers. (The remaining soy glaze may be kept indefinitely at room temperature and used to drizzle on grilled salmon or grilled tuna.)

Then we did this Creamy Spinach Casserole that is just awesome

Creamy Spinach Casserole Recipe

Photo by: Taste of Home

100% would make again

Read reviews (2)

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Rich and comforting, this savory spinach casserole will be a welcome addition to the table. You'll will love the short prep time and decadent taste. Annette Marie Young - West Lafayette, Indiana

This recipe is:

Healthy

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• 10 Servings
• Prep: 10 min. Bake: 35 min.

Ingredients

• 2 cans (10-3/4 ounces each) reduced-fat reduced-sodium condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
• 1 package (8 ounces) Kraft Philadelphia® - Cream Cheese – Light, cubed
• 1/2 cup fat-free milk
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 cups herb seasoned stuffing cubes
• 2 packages (10 ounces each) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

Directions

• In a large bowl, beat the soup, cream cheese, milk and Parmesan cheese until blended. Stir in stuffing cubes and spinach.
• Spoon into a 2-qt. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until heated through. Yield: 10 servings.

Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup equals 205 calories, 8 g fat (4 g saturated fat), 25 mg cholesterol, 723 mg sodium, 25 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 9 g protein.

Creamy Spinach Casserole published in Healthy Cooking October/November 2008, p41

Here is my photo...

Now, I just pray that these Eagles figure out what the hell their doing wrong so they can turn this game around...

New Years Meme 2009

I found this New Years Meme and I thought it would be a great way to end this year of blogging...

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?
Well, nothing very exciting or ground breaking, but I did see a 3-D movie, The Christmas Carol, at the IMAX, meant to blog about it and never did. I used a bidet for the first time, and could not believe I had lived without it all these years. I attended a Bondurant Family Meeting/Reunion. And last, and most important as far as I am concerned, is that I got to spend time with hubby's sister and her family four times this year to include Christmas.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?


It was more of a goal than a resolution, and now I did not. I will have the same goal. To get healthier and lead a healthier life style. And I will do it...SIL and I are going to walk in a marathon this year...if we work really hard, maybe we can run it...

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?


Well, not as close as I would like to be at this stage in my life. But a very dear friend that I met when I was thirteen gave birth this year and she and I turned 40 a day a part...she is a brave women. I had two cousins give birth this year also, well, cousins wives.

4. Did anyone close to you die?


Thank goodness no, not this year and hopefully not in the next.

5. What countries did you visit?


None outside the U.S.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
More time with family in GA and more time to concentrate on exercising and getting my body to a healthy weight.

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Sadly it will be Sept 13, 2009. The day we transitioned to our new payroll provider at work. Sad that the date I remember the most is related to work.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?


Work related of course...reorganizing the Dallas payroll office and ending the year with under 1700 corrected timecards. That is 3000 less than when I took over in March.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not taking the time for me. There is so much I want to do and I don't ever take the time to make it all happen.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Thankfully no, nothing serious or new.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Considering we buy way more than we should...hmmm...hard to pick...toss up between my Android phone and my Netbook I would say.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Nothing comes to mind here...

14. Where did most of your money go?
Living expenses and the IRS...probably not exactly in that order either.

15. What did you get really excited about?
Spending my 40th Birthday with my parents.

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?

The Black Eyed Peas - I Got A Feelin', along with the performance in Chicago for Oprah.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:


– happier or sadder? Happier, I have no time for being sad.
– thinner or fatter? there really has been no change...
– richer or poorer? Richer I do believe, especially with friends and family in my life.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?



I wish I had exercised more and found more time to get to GA and Philly.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?



Just sitting around watching TV...there is so much better things to do with my life.

20. How did you spend Christmas?



With my wonderful SIL and her family. It was our first and it was very enjoyable.

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?

Yes, my husband is always doing things that make me fall in love with him all over again.

22. What was your favorite TV program?



As I stated in #19, that is the problem, I have to many favorites.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?



Not really a hater, so no.

24. What was the best book you read?

OMG, I have read so many, and not nearly the number I intended to read, but I did read a lot. And there were so many good ones. I would have to say the very best one was The Shack with The Lost Symbol being 2nd. But I read some great books this year besides these. Check out my Shelfari link on this page.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?


Hmm, nothing comes to mind right off...

26. What did you want and get?

My Netbook??? I guess...

27. What did you want and not get?

I had wanted to find a job closer to my parents...Instead I moved further away. And it seems we like living in Texas and are really leaning on making this home.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

Well, they did a really good job with Star Trek and I am sure if I had seen Avatar it would have been my favorite based on what I have heard, but I'll have to go with The Christmas Carol as I have never experienced anything like that with a movie.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

Well, my birthday was the absolute best...even though dad made me forget my cake at the house...Mom and Dad came in from GA. I rented us a cabin in Weatherford, TX. We fished a little, had some dinner, went in the hot tub...it was great!! Oh, and I turned 40!!

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

OMG, yes...the person I got this from said a shorter commute and I will have to second that...total round trip for me is 2.5 to 3 hours a day...so yes...I will take a shorter commute any day of the year.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?

Well, it is the last day of 2009 and I still have not figured that out...lacking in this area...

32. What kept you sane?



Blogging...talking with my BFFL...having an awesome hubby

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Trace Adkins...need I say anymore?

34. What political issue stirred you the most?



Nothing in particular. I believe I was more frustrated with the Republicans in congress just fighting every single thing that was put forward to try and help this country.

35. Who did you miss?



All the family in Philly, my family in GA, my BFF, and a few other really good friends in the about the country.

36. Who was the best new person you met?



No one comes to mind...

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.



Hmm, realy am not thinking of anything...I didn't really have any aha moments this year...those of you close to me...am I missing something?

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.



One of my very favorite songs...Unwritten, by Natasha Bedingfield

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten, yeah

Alice in Wonderland

I can't wait to see this....looks like a fun and exciting movie.

What Does Your Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Say About You?

Your PB and J Says You're Adventurous and Accepting

Your eating style is gluttonous. If you like something, you're going back for seconds... no matter how full you are! You don't really have a sweet tooth. If you go for dessert, you tend to go for something light. Your taste in food tends to be quite eclectic and wide. You are an adventurous eater, and you like many types of cuisines. You are probably a fairly normal, upper middle class person. You don't rock the boat too often. You are a tough person who isn't afraid to live life fully. There isn't a lot that scares you. Precise and controlled, you can be a bit anal retentive when it comes to how you like things. You're definitely a perfectionist.

What Does Your Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Say About You?

Blogthings: 100's of Fun, Free Quizzes and 3 Stupid Ones

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing: The Party Mummy Meme

1. Name someone with the same birthday as you.

Two ladies, Diane Stephens, whom I used to work with and Nancy Drugan, whom I met on FB. Then there is Lance Armstrong, Frankie Avalon and Greta Garbo.

2. Where was your first kiss?

Hmm, I really don't know...sad, huh?

3. Have you ever hit someone of the opposite sex? If yes, why?

True Confessions, huh? Sadly yes...when we were first married I hit my husband on his chest as some point...don't remember the why or whatever, but I could not believe I did such a thing and have never done it since.

4. Have you ever sung in front of a large number of people? When?

Uh, yes...poor people. In high school I sung at the Children's Christmas Mass.

5. What's the first thing you notice about your preferred sex?

The eyes....the mirror to their soul...

6. What really turns you off?

People who smoke and smell of smoke...and men who think they are all that...

7. What is your biggest mistake?

OMG...I have made so many....Probably the biggest was not smartening up about money earlier in my adult life.

8. Have you ever hurt yourself on purpose?

No, not all...and never would.

9. Say something totally random about yourself.

I have been a nerd most of my life.

10. Has anyone ever said you looked like a celebrity?

They used to say I looked like a member of Menudo when I was a teen.

11. Do you still watch kiddie movies or TV shows?

Of course!!

12. Are you comfortable with your height?

Yes, 5'5" is perfect for me...

13. What is the most romantic thing someone of the preferred sex has done for you?

Picked up something for dinner and whisked me away to an impromptu picnic at the lake...

14. When do you know it's love?

When you can't imagine your life without that person in it...

15. What's something that really annoys you?

People holding their cell phone to their ear when they are driving!!

Award ~Who Loves You~

This award is designed with one purpose in mind. Pass this on to other bloggers who have awarded you in the past. So with this in mind I am passing it on to a couple of ladies.

Staci from Life in the Thumb

Barbara at the Celtic Spirit

Saturday 9: Be True to Your School

1. What was your favorite subject in high school?

OMG, I don't know...I guess math...I was really good at it...

2. Do you watch reality shows? Which ones?

I do...to many...Big Brother, Survivor, Amazing Race, Wife Swap...sometimes, America's Got Talent, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Biggest Loser

3. What's your favorite all time reality show?

I have to pick ONE??

4. Do you feel "reality" shows are real or are they faked?

I think some of it is scripted...but I could be wrong.

5. What did you look like when you were a teenager?

Well, here is a picture from February of my senior year...

6. Whose advice do you listen to?

What do you mean by listen? Do you mean hear, but not necessarily follow or do you mean hear and do what they say? I listen to my parents, but I don't always do what they say....

7. How often are you sick?

It really depends on the environment, weather, etc...but a few times a year.

8. Do you like or dislike change?

I am fine with change...I roll with it...I look for what else I can improve upon when there is change...

9. How many times in your life have you had a broken heart?

Four times I think...once by a guy I dated in high school...and three times by my husband. From my experience if you can make it through the broken heart and can get back together your relationship is stronger for the experience....

Topical Tuesday - Past, Present & Future

Topical Tuesday


This weeks Topical Tuesday is in three parts. It all about reflections -

Where were you ten years ago?
Ten years ago today I was in Georgia. I lived at Camp Josey Rd in Blythe GA and worked at the VA in Augusta GA. We were living in a trailer that I had bought for 1600 dollars and only had to pay a lot payment. If I would have been smarter then I would have done a better job at saving and investing back then. We still had our Tippy dog in our lives then and I am glad this blog made me think of her as I really loved that doggie. I don't remember much more about my life at that time...it was pretty uneventful. I did have nights that I looked forward to going to my bffl's place and helping her to escape to an evening out, but other than that we just did not do a lot back then.

Where are you now?
Ah, well, a lot has happened in the last ten years. We are now living in the DFW area for the second time and happier than we have been in a long time. We are a little smarter with money, but still not as smart as we need to be. I have moved up in the VA and have more than doubled my salary from what it was 10 years ago. I have a lot more responsibility to go with that salary. We still do not have children, but w talk about the day we have our own home and will foster and possibly adopt. I miss my BFFL and being the selfish person that I am wish that she would move to this area.

Where would you like to be in ten years?
In ten years I assume I will still be in the DFW area as I have promised my hubby I would not move anymore. He would however let me move to Charleston in a second... I would be in my own home for at least five years if plans go as I hope they will. I can retire from the government in ten years so I will be making a big decision...to stay for another 9 or to get out and do something different...real estate or teach are the two I am looking at right now. We would have children in our lives and would be much happier for it...we look forward to sharing our lives with children and providing them a loving family to call their own. And just maybe my BFFL will live within 15 minutes of me and we will be spending a large amount of our free time in each other's company.