Dear readers, I hope you all had a safe and fun Memorial Day.
Mine turned tearful, by days end.
Started out with finishing the banana pudding for the cookout at the VFW Post. Didn't go to the ceremony at the cemetery, as I had to be at work before it was over.
Got to work around 1 and already had 3 customers: Bobby, a WWII/Korea Vet, Steve a Viet Nam Vet and "Fast" Eddie a WWII/Korea Vet. Bobby and Steve were there early as they were are cooks/grillers. Eddie, brought some shrimp and had a couple of Buds.
Then the rest of the folks started coming in around 2, food in hand and the festivities began. We did a moment of silent prayer, then a few minutes later, the chaplain blessed the food. I knew I shouldn't had tried to eat and work....food got cold and I got tired.
Guess the crowd started clearing out around 7. Bobby and Steve were still there with me. We watched a war movie and chit chatted. All and all we had a good bar($) for the day and the tips weren't bad.
This is were the "strange" starts......I like watching the Memorial Day Concert from DC. I like Gary Sinise and Joe Mantegna and the music always gives me the "goose bumps". Last night while I watched it, I didn't get 5 minutes into the show, before I started tearing up. Why last night? Memorial Day has always meant something to me. I have been out of the service for 25 years. Could it still be I feel guilty for being here, when I lost people I knew. Why me? Arlington National Cemetery is a site to see. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the dedicated Guard who watches over it, rain or shine.
So dear readers, I will continue to stand at attention when I hear the National Anthem or God Bless America. I will continue to honor this country and the flag that stands for our freedom.
I will not make this a political post......just this writers feelings.
Last but not least, don't wait for Memorial Day or Veterans Day to honor our military. They don't take time between holidays to protect you. Thank a Vet!! They do appreciate it, more than you would think.
As always, hugs and sloppy nose kisses from me and the Cos. PEACE
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Friday, May 27, 2016
Sheila's good, bad and the ugly week, in review...
Hey readers. Been an interesting week, or at least, 5 days.
Monday was good and bad. I re-connected with Steve from another site and he led me here, which led me to meet and talk to you all.
Had to go to the USPS....it ties my panties in a wad, when I hear people NOT speaking English, when they are in America. Guess it's from being a proud American and ex-military. Even when I was in Korea, I tied to learn enough, to half way carry on a conversation, in their language.
Then I made a trip to the drug store......there's a lady, with like 4 kids. Her card wouldn't work, so she leaves the kids in the store, with the bag, goes out to her car and instead of getting cash or a card that worked, promptly got on her phone and had a seat in her car. By this time, there were 5 of us, waiting to check out.
Then to the Irish Pub for Feed the Hungry. Made up like 200 plates to go to Atlanta.
Tuesday, was pretty uneventful. Just work, and we weren't very busy. Did find out, I'm down to 1 day a week. Not complaining......and no dear readers, I will not starve or become homeless - God willing!! It's only beer money.
Then Weds. came. Stopped and picked up the mail on my way to work and SURPRISE - I have jury duty, the end of June.
Please, whoever reads this, if you ever go into an establishment, and are waited on, tip the server!! I had a couple, who I see all the time, who sat there for like 2 hours. Drank 7 or 8 beers, between the 2 of them...about a 17$ bar bill....and didn't tip one red cent. These are the same 2, that always talk about how good tippers they are.
Thurs. was my "I need something for me" day. It was not a spur of the moment decision. Have been thinking about it since last year and finally went and got it yesterday. A new laptop!! It's a HP Envy. Has a backlit keyboard, touch screen, voice (for Cortana), numeric keyboard and it can be turned into a tablet - a very large one! And yes, Win10 was pre-loaded. Like the feel of the keyboard, much better than the old one. Am giving the old one to a dear friend of mine.
I love the ATL and GA, but can't deal with these Code Orange "Smog" alerts we have. Think we were under one, 3 days this week. Not today, though. In fact the pollen count is only 10.
When I get a few minutes, will post the recipe for the One-Man-Crepe and the SOS. I was also thinking about my medium white sauce recipe I posted and some of the other different ways, you could use it.
Please take a moment on Monday, to honor or fallen brothers and sisters. I will be at the VFW, working...having a cookout, after the ceremony at the cemetery. Be safe, if you are out and about.
As always, hugs and sloppy nose kisses from me and the Cos. PEACE and I think it might be 5 o'clock somewhere - CHEERS!!
Monday was good and bad. I re-connected with Steve from another site and he led me here, which led me to meet and talk to you all.
Had to go to the USPS....it ties my panties in a wad, when I hear people NOT speaking English, when they are in America. Guess it's from being a proud American and ex-military. Even when I was in Korea, I tied to learn enough, to half way carry on a conversation, in their language.
Then I made a trip to the drug store......there's a lady, with like 4 kids. Her card wouldn't work, so she leaves the kids in the store, with the bag, goes out to her car and instead of getting cash or a card that worked, promptly got on her phone and had a seat in her car. By this time, there were 5 of us, waiting to check out.
Then to the Irish Pub for Feed the Hungry. Made up like 200 plates to go to Atlanta.
Tuesday, was pretty uneventful. Just work, and we weren't very busy. Did find out, I'm down to 1 day a week. Not complaining......and no dear readers, I will not starve or become homeless - God willing!! It's only beer money.
Then Weds. came. Stopped and picked up the mail on my way to work and SURPRISE - I have jury duty, the end of June.
Please, whoever reads this, if you ever go into an establishment, and are waited on, tip the server!! I had a couple, who I see all the time, who sat there for like 2 hours. Drank 7 or 8 beers, between the 2 of them...about a 17$ bar bill....and didn't tip one red cent. These are the same 2, that always talk about how good tippers they are.
Thurs. was my "I need something for me" day. It was not a spur of the moment decision. Have been thinking about it since last year and finally went and got it yesterday. A new laptop!! It's a HP Envy. Has a backlit keyboard, touch screen, voice (for Cortana), numeric keyboard and it can be turned into a tablet - a very large one! And yes, Win10 was pre-loaded. Like the feel of the keyboard, much better than the old one. Am giving the old one to a dear friend of mine.
I love the ATL and GA, but can't deal with these Code Orange "Smog" alerts we have. Think we were under one, 3 days this week. Not today, though. In fact the pollen count is only 10.
When I get a few minutes, will post the recipe for the One-Man-Crepe and the SOS. I was also thinking about my medium white sauce recipe I posted and some of the other different ways, you could use it.
Please take a moment on Monday, to honor or fallen brothers and sisters. I will be at the VFW, working...having a cookout, after the ceremony at the cemetery. Be safe, if you are out and about.
As always, hugs and sloppy nose kisses from me and the Cos. PEACE and I think it might be 5 o'clock somewhere - CHEERS!!
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
SgtB's Medium White Sauce for use in just about anything.....
Dear readers. I posted a picture of the savory chicken and mushroom crepe I made. Here is the recipe for the filling.
This medium white sauce is so versatile. It's also used in the SOS recipe. Just change the stock from chicken to beef.
I use corn starch. Seems like when I use flour, no matter how long I cook it, I can still taste it.
MEDIUM WHITE SAUCE
1 cup baby bellas, sliced
1 chicken thigh, cooked and cubed
2 tbls. evoo or vegetable oil, for sautéing
salt and pepper, to taste
1/8 cup corn starch
1 cup chicken stock
1 cup milk
1. Heat 2 tbls oil in non-stick pan.
2. Add mushrooms sprinkle lightly with salt and cook for 5 mins.
3. Add cooked chicken, stir; Lightly salt and pepper and cook for about 1 to 2 mins.
4. Cover and remove from heat.
5. Using the next 3 ingredients, make the white sauce. Mix the corn starch with the stock, and then add the milk slowly.
6. Pour some of the sauce over the chicken/mushroom mix and heat through. Save some to pour over the top.
This medium white sauce is so versatile. It's also used in the SOS recipe. Just change the stock from chicken to beef.
I use corn starch. Seems like when I use flour, no matter how long I cook it, I can still taste it.
MEDIUM WHITE SAUCE
1 tbl. corn starch
1 cup milk
2 tbls. butter or margarine
salt and pepper, to taste
1. Combine the corn starch and milk in a small sauce pan . Stir til smooth.
2. Add butter, salt & pepper. Cook over medium heat until butter has melted.
3. Boil gently about 1 minute, or til thick, stirring constantly.
SAVORY CHICKEN AND MUSHROOM FILLING
1 cup baby bellas, sliced
1 chicken thigh, cooked and cubed
2 tbls. evoo or vegetable oil, for sautéing
salt and pepper, to taste
1/8 cup corn starch
1 cup chicken stock
1 cup milk
1. Heat 2 tbls oil in non-stick pan.
2. Add mushrooms sprinkle lightly with salt and cook for 5 mins.
3. Add cooked chicken, stir; Lightly salt and pepper and cook for about 1 to 2 mins.
4. Cover and remove from heat.
5. Using the next 3 ingredients, make the white sauce. Mix the corn starch with the stock, and then add the milk slowly.
6. Pour some of the sauce over the chicken/mushroom mix and heat through. Save some to pour over the top.
Monday, May 23, 2016
Who the Heck is Sheila "SgtB" Calnan??
I got so excited about finding a place to "bend an ear" at, I forgot to tell my readers, a little about me.
My name is Sheila. Have been cooking most of my life and just turned 67 yrs old a few weeks ago...so that's a long time.
I spent 8 years in the United States Army, serving in South Korea and in Saudi Arabia, during the first Gulf War. Before joining the Army, I owned a small bakery/café in Georgia....so I guess I hit both sides...cooking and baking.
I recently purchased a Food Saver Vacuum System. Totally love the thing. I liked mine so much, I bought my daughter one and a friend of mine one. I lost my husband/best friend back in 2012, so I have to make myself cook. I know how hard it is to cook for one - when you go from serving 1,000+ a meal, down to 2 (even though Jim ate like he was the Army), that's one of the reasons, I bought the sealer. I can cook a big batch of something and have other meals, for a later date.
Have a best friend named Cosmo. He's a rescue mutt who has been with me for almost 9 years now. He's a sweet boy.
Am a member of the VFW/VFWA and DAV. Bartend part-time at my VFW Post, just to give me something to do. Once a month a help a friend of mine (human this time :) )with her church's Feed the Hungry Program.
I'm the Mother of a wonderful daughter, who has the world's best husband - just for putting up with her - and 3 grandkids. Alex is going to be 17 (UGH!!!) this year and 10 year old twin girls, Annie and Jenna.
Have never done a blog, so hoping some of you, will make suggestions (be kind though), ask questions, that maybe I can talk to you about. Would like to meet some other bloggers and read what they have to say.
Hugs and sloppy nose kisses from me and the Cos. PEACE!!
My name is Sheila. Have been cooking most of my life and just turned 67 yrs old a few weeks ago...so that's a long time.
I spent 8 years in the United States Army, serving in South Korea and in Saudi Arabia, during the first Gulf War. Before joining the Army, I owned a small bakery/café in Georgia....so I guess I hit both sides...cooking and baking.
I recently purchased a Food Saver Vacuum System. Totally love the thing. I liked mine so much, I bought my daughter one and a friend of mine one. I lost my husband/best friend back in 2012, so I have to make myself cook. I know how hard it is to cook for one - when you go from serving 1,000+ a meal, down to 2 (even though Jim ate like he was the Army), that's one of the reasons, I bought the sealer. I can cook a big batch of something and have other meals, for a later date.
Have a best friend named Cosmo. He's a rescue mutt who has been with me for almost 9 years now. He's a sweet boy.
Am a member of the VFW/VFWA and DAV. Bartend part-time at my VFW Post, just to give me something to do. Once a month a help a friend of mine (human this time :) )with her church's Feed the Hungry Program.
I'm the Mother of a wonderful daughter, who has the world's best husband - just for putting up with her - and 3 grandkids. Alex is going to be 17 (UGH!!!) this year and 10 year old twin girls, Annie and Jenna.
Have never done a blog, so hoping some of you, will make suggestions (be kind though), ask questions, that maybe I can talk to you about. Would like to meet some other bloggers and read what they have to say.
Hugs and sloppy nose kisses from me and the Cos. PEACE!!
Dog Friendly kitchen....
Hello all. Do I have anybody out there, that are dog lovers?
Have you ever wondered if you could make the furkids a tasty, nutritional treat, with no additives and preservatives? If so, I might have just solved your problem.
They are easy to make and take no time at all, to put together. They work well in sneaking meds to them, too.
These are good for the humans, too. Tried one. Really not bad.
Have you ever wondered if you could make the furkids a tasty, nutritional treat, with no additives and preservatives? If so, I might have just solved your problem.
They are easy to make and take no time at all, to put together. They work well in sneaking meds to them, too.
These are good for the humans, too. Tried one. Really not bad.
Hugs and sloppy nose kisses from me and the Cos.
My one and only follower asked for the recipe......so here you go Steve:
NO BAKE PEANUT BUTTER DOG TREATS
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1-1/4 cup quick cooking oats
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup water
1. Mix peanut butter, cinnamon and water. Mixture should be fairly thick. Use more or less water as need be.
2. Slowly add the oats.
3. Shape into balls - size is up to you. I used a small cookie scoop.
These can be stored in an air tight container, in the fridge for about 2 weeks or freezer for 2 months.
My one and only follower asked for the recipe......so here you go Steve:
NO BAKE PEANUT BUTTER DOG TREATS
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1-1/4 cup quick cooking oats
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup water
1. Mix peanut butter, cinnamon and water. Mixture should be fairly thick. Use more or less water as need be.
2. Slowly add the oats.
3. Shape into balls - size is up to you. I used a small cookie scoop.
These can be stored in an air tight container, in the fridge for about 2 weeks or freezer for 2 months.
Where have you been all my life??
I recently purchased a Food Saver Vacuum System. This thing is amazing!! I probably use it every day, for something or other. Case in point……made some Banana Bread and Applesauce Bread a couple of weeks ago. After they were cool enough to “man-handle”, I sliced them up, in a single serving size, laid them on a parchment lined sheet pan, and stuck them in the freezer. Pre-freezing everything is very important. Baked goods especially. It helps them keep their shape. Now, I have both in the freezer, and all I have to do is take them out and enjoy.
Another thing I found works well, at least for me, are waffles. I made a full batch on my George Foreman, and now I can have waffles when I want them, without the trouble of actually making them. Heat ’em up in either the toaster, toaster oven or even nuke them for a few sec.
Trust me folks, I really don’t work for them. Just really like the product. So much, I bought my daughter one. She called today and said she had run out of bags, again. Love it, when I buy something for someone, and it doesn’t end up sitting on a shelf, collecting dust.
Well, I hope if any of you are up in the air about getting one, I hope this might have answered a few of the questions, you might have had. It pretty much can vac/seal anything you want it to…….even
non food items.
Hugs and sloppy nose kisses from me and the Cos.
Another thing I found works well, at least for me, are waffles. I made a full batch on my George Foreman, and now I can have waffles when I want them, without the trouble of actually making them. Heat ’em up in either the toaster, toaster oven or even nuke them for a few sec.
Trust me folks, I really don’t work for them. Just really like the product. So much, I bought my daughter one. She called today and said she had run out of bags, again. Love it, when I buy something for someone, and it doesn’t end up sitting on a shelf, collecting dust.
Well, I hope if any of you are up in the air about getting one, I hope this might have answered a few of the questions, you might have had. It pretty much can vac/seal anything you want it to…….even
non food items.
Hugs and sloppy nose kisses from me and the Cos.
Bon Jour!!
I took basic Spanish in High School – too many years ago to remember much and 2 years in Korea didn’t teach me much – they all wanted to speak English. When it comes to French, I know like 7 words/phrases all the basic ones, most everybody knows. Bon Jour, Au Revoir, Deja Vu, Oh La La. Bon Appetit goes well with French Onion Soup. Well, my friends, I’m going to dazzle you with one: Crepes ala Confiture. Sounds super fancy and super hard to make, doesn’t it? Thanks to Felice, a cooking friend from mine, I have found a super easy crepe recipe. Nice thing is, it only makes 1 large crepe. Ingredients are all easy to double or triple.
Felice says they freeze well, so maybe, I’ll make a double batch and vac/seal. Already have my fillings planned. Some yogurt with blueberry sauce.
Felice says they freeze well, so maybe, I’ll make a double batch and vac/seal. Already have my fillings planned. Some yogurt with blueberry sauce.
Top photo is a savory chicken and mushroom crepe and the bottom is a sweet breakfast crepe. Same batter, except that the savory is without the sugar and vanilla.
Hugs and sloppy nose kisses from me and the Cos.
To Fry or Not to Fry, that is the Question......
To Fry or Not to Fry, that is the Question......
……..my answer to that question would be a big NO. Have never been one for fried foods. Greasy foods and me just don’t get along. I do, do the occasional French fries, but not many and not often. I even gave away my fryer. Hate the mess frying causes. Gets all over everything.
With that in mind, most recipes you will get from me will be either, baked, sautéed, poached, steamed or done in the crock pot.
Before I started to poach and steam, I really thought it was going to be bland. If you have never tried doing either, you are in for a surprise.
Poaching liquid can be just about anything you want it to be. Stock, beer, wine or even plain water. Just add the seasonings you like. Also, it doesn’t take much time to cook your poultry or fish. I have a steamer, but haven’t used it yet. When I steam, I do it in the microwave. Dinner the other night was steamed flounder, with steamed fresh yellow squash and broccoli.
I put a little EVOO and a little butter in the bottom of the steamer. The fish and veggies were on the tray, seasoned and steamed for about 5 minutes. Fast, easy, healthy and quick clean-up. Microwave steamers are fairly inexpensive.
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The picture is tilapia and shrimp. The lemon butter made a nice sauce to pour over the fish.
Would like to know if any readers have a favorite poaching liquid.
……..my answer to that question would be a big NO. Have never been one for fried foods. Greasy foods and me just don’t get along. I do, do the occasional French fries, but not many and not often. I even gave away my fryer. Hate the mess frying causes. Gets all over everything.
With that in mind, most recipes you will get from me will be either, baked, sautéed, poached, steamed or done in the crock pot.
Before I started to poach and steam, I really thought it was going to be bland. If you have never tried doing either, you are in for a surprise.
Poaching liquid can be just about anything you want it to be. Stock, beer, wine or even plain water. Just add the seasonings you like. Also, it doesn’t take much time to cook your poultry or fish. I have a steamer, but haven’t used it yet. When I steam, I do it in the microwave. Dinner the other night was steamed flounder, with steamed fresh yellow squash and broccoli.
I put a little EVOO and a little butter in the bottom of the steamer. The fish and veggies were on the tray, seasoned and steamed for about 5 minutes. Fast, easy, healthy and quick clean-up. Microwave steamers are fairly inexpensive.
Would like to know if any readers have a favorite poaching liquid.
Hurry Up GI, I Don't Have all Day!!
When I left the grill/kitchen and started working in the office, I got my hands on the old recipe cards – DOD got us some newer, prettier ones (our tax dollars at work?). One of the ones I really wanted was SOS. Between all the moves, military and civilian, I have lost it. But no fear my friends and fellow cooks……I have one, that is pretty darn close. Only another military cook can tell you that I’m wrong……if they only knew the secret I have hidden, deep inside my pea brain.
If any of my readers would like the recipe for SgtB's SOS, let me know.
Peace!! Happy cooking and hugs and sloppy nose kisses from me and the Cos.
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