Miss Fresh Greens--a Book Club story

 

 

This is my Sunday story....

 

I have a new laptop!  This is exciting news, as I have been  posting from work or the Handyman's ancient computer in the garage for over a month.

 

The not so exciting part is that I have to get used to a new updated version of windows.  A few quirks here and there for me to work out.

 

I went to church this morning and did some grocery shopping.

I am making spaghetti for supper -- my mom's recipe, which is on the Friday Friend Cookbook countdown. --and now we are getting ready to wash some windows and put some screens back up.

 

I would like to say that then I was going to lay in the hammock and read a book, but for some reason I have been in a reading slump lately.  It's been over 2 weeks since I have read a book ---I just don't have an interest right now, but I'm sure I'll get over it soon.

 

Even tho I've been in a reading slump---there is no way I'd ever  miss a book club!

 

Last week Totally Lit held our semi-annual (sometimes Tri-annual)  MISS contest.  This year it was "Miss Fresh Greens"

 

(in past years, it was Miss Congealdiality,  Miss Hot Dish and Miss AppeTEASEher)

 

 

 

Well our Miss Fresh Greens evening was lovely.

We ate outside and discussed the book--and many, many other things.

We tend to get off track sometimes, but it always comes back to the book.

We talked into the wee hours of the night....well, okay, it might have been 10.  Yes, we stayed up and out until 10pm!!

 

 

Everyone brought their best greens!

Or salad.... we said any salad was fine.

 

And then.....the waiting was unbearable.... was our salad "the best".

Who would represent for the next year or two, or three?

 

 

 

 

 

There were lots of fresh salads, but not too many greens!

(which we thought was kind of funny)

 

Who would win??

 

 

 

Miss Congealediality, Cindy, our first MISS ever, is ready to crown ---or sash (since we don't have a crown) the Queen!

 

 

Oh look!  It's me.

 

 

Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen,  I was crowned/sashed MISS FRESH GREENS!

It was the thrill of a lifetime!

And I did it all with --- a Mexican Coleslaw.

(coleslaw mix, halved red grapes, green onions, pistachios, cilantro, coleslaw dressing with a bit of chili powder)

(and I used a mix of pistachios, almonds and peanuts)

 

All kidding aside, we really have a good time at our MISS evenings. Lots of good food and drinks. It's hard to choose just one winner.

 

 

 

 

As the evening wore on, it got chilly outside, but we couldn't stop talking books!

So, we just got blankets.

 

Our book was "Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands" by Chris Bohjalian.

I think on an average, it got close to 4-stars from the book club.

 

.

 

 

 

You know how I feel about the ladies of my book clubs, right?

(I love them)

Well, things are changing---in Totally Lit especially. 

Believe it or not, (and I know you won't believe it because we all look so young!) there is talk of retirement, moving away, leaving---and I don't like it!

 

I want things to stay the same for ever and ever.

Just sitting around drinking wine, discussing books and laughing with friends.

 

But it looks like next year, 2 of these ladies will be retiring 'elsewhere'.

 

I guess that means we will become a traveling bookclub-when we go visiting them!

Friday Friend Recipe #66 --Sassy Meatballs

Friday Friend Recipe #66: Sassy Meatballs

Making my way thru my Friday Friend Cookbook, one recipe at a time.

What is the Friday Friend cookbook: I have about 50 of my closest friends and family on an e-mail forum which I called the Friday Friends (from all over the county). At first, most of them didn't know each other, (they knew me) but over the past 15 years, we've answered and shared silly--and serious---questions, exchanged Secret Santa Christmas gifts, had a dieting contest in which we paid a $1 a week and that money went to a scholarship fund for a Friday Friends son's memorial scholarship, and we went on a great vacation for my 52 birthday.

AND, we contributed recipes for a cookbook.

 

I was looking at the cookbook the other night and I said, "I should make every recipe in here for my blog."
The Handyman--who knows me better than I know myself (this happened to be a question on the Friday Friend forum once---does your spouse/partner know you better than you know yourself?)--said, "you'll never, EVER do that."

WELL---maybe I'll show him! Maybe I will.

 

Which brings me to this... recipe #66

Cherrie Lou Who's

Sassy Meatballs

 

My grandson Eli is a very picky eater.

He is 6.

In a phone call the other day he said:

 

Eli:  Gram, when we come to your house, can we have meatballs again?

Me:  Yes!

Eli:  with sticks?

Me:  of course!

(He meant toothpicks)

 

But the important thing is....these meatballs are Eli approved!

They must be good!

 

For some reason I got a picture of his twin sister Emerson (who is making cameo appearances on the blog every once in a while) eating the meatballs, but not Eli.

He was too busy with water balloon fights that afternoon.

 

These meatballs are KID TESTED!!

I do have a picture of him bringing me some wild Daisies tho.

 

 

and now...on to his favorite meatballs!

Oh...and his Great Aunt, Cherrie Lou Who's too!



Sassy Meatballs

FF Cherrie Lou Who

Auburn,WA

Fill a crockpot  half full of pre-cooked, frozen meatballs.

Add 2 cups of Lit' Bro Scott's secret recipe BBQ Sauce.

Heat and serve.

Welcome back for your 2nd appearance in the Friday Friend Cookbook Countdown 

Cherrie Lou Who!

 

Cherrie is my sister-in-law, the Handyman's youngest sister.

The year I turned 50, I joined her team for the  3day/60mile  Susan G. Koeman walk for breast cancer. (one of the most rewarding things I have ever done)

Here are a couple photos of Cherrie Lou Who from that weekend:

 

Cherrie is on the left, I am on the right.  (Kate is in the  middle, Leah was taking the picture)

I love post offices--- I'm an exciting person like that--- because I like to write letters--snail mail. 

Anyway, they stopped so we could take a picture of a POST OFFICE.

Wooooo!!

 

I shared a tent with Cherrie....and one morning I snapped this of her....5am waking up, looking forward to walking 20 miles!!

 

One of her favorite appetizers, the meatballs, are made with the bbq sauce her brother, Scott makes.

He gives us bbq sauce all the time for gifts.  It is legendary in the family.  And apparently it is one of Eli's favorites too!  He likes it with sticks!

 

Scott won't say how he makes his sauce---so it really is a secret.

(I always find it funny when people won't share their recipes)

Sorry--you cannot make this EXACT recipe.

It's probably good with YOUR favorite bbq sauce.

 

Here is Cherrie Lou Who's little bro Scott.  And her big bro, the Handyman.

(the handyman is not a Sheriff's deputy.... but he is a Seattle Seahawks fan)

 

 

Friday Friend Recipe #65--Shrimp Chip Dip

Friday Friend Recipe #65: Shrimp Dip

Making my way thru my Friday Friend Cookbook, one recipe at a time.

What is the Friday Friend cookbook: I have about 50 of my closest friends and family on an e-mail forum which I called the Friday Friends (from all over the county). At first, most of them didn't know each other, (they knew me) but over the past 15 years, we've answered and shared silly--and serious---questions, exchanged Secret Santa Christmas gifts, had a dieting contest in which we paid a $1 a week and that money went to a scholarship fund for a Friday Friends son's memorial scholarship, and we went on a great vacation for my 52 birthday.

AND, we contributed recipes for a cookbook.

I was looking at the cookbook the other night and I said, "I should make every recipe in here for my blog."
The Handyman--who knows me better than I know myself (this happened to be a question on the Friday Friend forum once---does your spouse/partner know you better than you know yourself?)--said,  "you'll never, EVER do that."

WELL---maybe I'll show him!  Maybe I will.

Which brings me to this... recipe #65

Barb's

Shrimp Dip

The Handyman is a great cribbage player.

He plays every Friday night

(omg--we are sounding like old people!!!!)

with our Friday Night Friends  when we have our Friday night dinners.

But on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, he plays with me!

And sometimes we have snacks.

One of these snacks was Barb's shrimp  dip.

I've been making this since I met Barb--23 years ago.

It's a great one to take to a potluck or even an office party.

It's easy and has cream cheese! Everyone likes cream cheese.

It's a crowd favorite!

Shrimp Chip Dip

Barbara Brown

Buckeye, AZ

Blend together;

8oz cream cheese

1/2 cup mayo

sm can drained shrimp

diced onions and celery to taste

onion and celery salt to taste.

Refrigerate.

Barbara Brown.

The  editor/typist of the Friday Friend Cookbook, 

(I am the publisher and overseer)

You should know her by now, as this  is her 14th time in the countdown. 

Click here for a complete rundown of all her recipes.

You should also know that she lives in Buckeye, AZ.  You can tell, because I say it every time I write up a recipe from her.  And also by  the look of her back yard below.

It just looks all "Arizona-ish"

Arizona has a football team, called the Cardinals,  but Barb proudly sports the Seattle Seahawk shirt!

We are Washington State born!

(still proud fans even after last year's Superbowl flop)

Years ago, when our kids were younger, we (The Browns and us) would have a weekly football pool.  

And we had to choose who would win each game that week.
Nobody in the family (families) was immune.
From the  8 year old up to the 50  year old, we were all expected to participate in the FOOTBALL pool.
It was quite exciting for a few years.

Barb's husband Doug and my husband Rich kept a chart.

A huge chart-- on games, who was playing who each week, who voted on which team, who was ahead in the standings  (I mean out of us).

We had to name ourselves.

the Handyman named himself  "the Rottons"   (Rich's Rottons)

Barb's son Mike named himself the Mongols.  (Mike's Mongols)

 I can't remember my name, but I do know that Rich's Rottons came in high in the standings each week.

And then at the end of the season---one of us had the glory of winning.

That was it.

The glory.

Of winning.

With the Brown's, everything is a  friendly competition.

One New Year's Eve, we all sat around and guessed at what the first 'natural disaster' would be in the coming year.

It's really weird to get a phone call from your friend in which she is yelling

'THERE'S A BIG TORNADO IN NEBRASKA!"

I WIN!! I WIN!!

It's just the glory of the whole thing.

Winning.

That, and it doesn't take much to amuse us.

Not that a tornado amuses us.... you're taking this wrong!  We don't want a tornado---but one is going to happen. We just want to be the ones to call it first!

I am not competitive tho.

It's Barb who is.

I just go with the flow.

Really.

Friday Friend Recipe #64-- Three Cheese Pasta Bake

Friday Friend Recipe #64: Three Cheese Pasta Bake

Making my way thru my Friday Friend Cookbook, one recipe at a time.

What is the Friday Friend cookbook: I have about 50 of my closest friends and family on an e-mail forum which I called the Friday Friends (from all over the county). At first, most of them didn't know each other, (they knew me) but over the past 15 years, we've answered and shared silly--and serious---questions, exchanged Secret Santa Christmas gifts, had a dieting contest in which we paid a $1 a week and that money went to a scholarship fund for a Friday Friends son's memorial scholarship, and we went on a great vacation for my 52 birthday.

AND, we contributed recipes for a cookbook.

I was looking at the cookbook the other night and I said, "I should make every recipe in here for my blog."
The Handyman--who knows me better than I know myself (this happened to be a question on the Friday Friend forum once---does your spouse/partner know you better than you know yourself?)--said,  "you'll never, EVER do that."

WELL---maybe I'll show him!  Maybe I will.

Which brings me to this... recipe #64

Ashley's

Three Cheese Pasta Bake

Here are the facts:
1.  I love 3 Cheese Pasta Bake

2.  My family loves 3 Cheese Pasta Bake

3. I love 3 Cheese Pasta Bake

It is cheesy and pasta-y and sauce-y, Italian Style.

I don't know what else to say.

Three Cheese Pasta Bake

FF Ashley Ferguson

Meridian, Idaho

1/2 lb twist pasta, cooked as directed

1/2 lb lean ground beef or Italian Sausage

1 26oz jar marinara sauce

1 15oz container of ricotta cheese

8oz mozzarella, shredded and divided ( 2 cups)

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 egg

Preheat oven to 350.  In saucepan, over med heat, cook meat until browned; pour off fat.

Add sauce.

Combine in a bowl: ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, egg and Parmesan.

Lightly grease 2 1/2 qt dish.

Layer cooked pasta, sauce mixture and cheese mixture.

Repeat layers.

Sprinkle with the rest of the mozzarella.

Bake 35-40 minutes or until bubbly.

Here is the truth about the Friday Friends --- 

They are the same as other friends.

Once in a while, they drift away.

but Ashley didn't drift, she moved!

  I  don't see Ashley like I used to, a much as I'd like to.

Busy lives, busy people.

When she pops into town we try to have lunch and catch up, but she's busy doing restaurant stuff (they own 4 of them) and I'm busy doing--- reading? Cooking? Laying around?

Speaking of reading....

Ashley started one of the books clubs I am in--  Totally Lit.  (there are only 2 remaining charter members and I am one of them, out of a 10 people group.)

We used to do tons of stuff with Ashley before she moved, but it was before the age of cell phones and digital cameras.  I find   I don't have many pics of her.  I am going to have to dig thru one of my old photo boxes next time and see what old photos I can dig up.

This is Ashley's' 2nd appearance in the Friday Friend Cookbook Countdown.

The last time I was having lunch at the Griddle I  took a photo off the back of a menu insert.

(photo quality is not an issue for me on this blog---only countdowns are)

The picture is of Ashley and her husband, David. 

I think they might have been at a Giants game when this was taken.

The insert was in conjunction with a MS (Multiple Sclerosis) walk/fundraiser.

It's a good picture of them!  

As mentioned, Ashley started the Lit Wits Bookclub.  It would not be going today if it wasn't for her -- which means my life would be a little less happy.

So Hooray for Ashley---Hooray for Totally Lit!

She's always been a voracious reader and I've gotten lots of good books from her.

I would call the Griddle an "indy" restaurant.

I like Indy things:

bookstores

musicians

and restaurants!

Friday Friend Recipe #63-- Green Salad with Shrimp

Friday Friend Recipe #63: Green Salad with Shrimp

Making my way thru my Friday Friend Cookbook, one recipe at a time.

What is the Friday Friend cookbook: I have about 50 of my closest friends and family on an e-mail forum which I called the Friday Friends (from all over the county). At first, most of them didn't know each other, (they knew me) but over the past 15 years, we've answered and shared silly--and serious---questions, exchanged Secret Santa Christmas gifts, had a dieting contest in which we paid a $1 a week and that money went to a scholarship fund for a Friday Friends son's memorial scholarship, and we went on a great vacation for my 52 birthday.

AND, we contributed recipes for a cookbook.

I was looking at the cookbook the other night and I said, "I should make every recipe in here for my blog."
The Handyman--who knows me better than I know myself (this happened to be a question on the Friday Friend forum once---does your spouse/partner know you better than you know yourself?)--said, "you'll never, EVER do that."

WELL---maybe I'll show him! Maybe I will.

Which brings me to this... recipe #63

Shelly's

Green Salad with Shrimp

 

 

This is one of our favorite salads!

Do I need to say anything more?

 

Green Salad with Shrimp

Shelly Noble

Winnemucca, NV

Dressing:

1/2 cup vinegar

4 T sugar

1 cup salad oil

2 t MSG

2 t salt

1 t pepper

Combine all and chill

Salad:

1 head finely chopped lettuce

1 bunch sliced green onions

3/4 lb salad shrimp (not canned)

1 pkg slivered almonds

1 pkg Ramen noodles

Crumble noodles and brown in butter.  Set aside.

Combine all salad stuff and toss with dressing.

Add noodles.

Serve.

I did a blog post about this salad  years ago... 6 years ago, to be exact, but since I am making my  way thru the cookbook, I am never sure if that counts or I have to do it over again.

So, I did it over again!

Here is the first go-round.  

(click on it, you non blogger friends of mine)

I actually make this salad quite often.

 

 

So...Here is Shelly.  Her little bottom is sticking out.

Just in case you are wondering---it's not really her bottom.

It's fake.

A Halloween costume!

 

I debated putting this picture up---our children (grown ups that they are) are really creeped out by this photo.  I say hahaha--it's funny!  And I also asked Shelly if she minded)

 

For years we would decorate our garage like an old graveyard, complete with an old picket fence in front of it, so the kids could look, but not enter, at Halloween.

It was such a hit with the neighborhood, but it is now a thing of the past -- things change -- anyway, we would sometimes host a small Halloween party for our friends.  I mean...the decorations were up anyway, right?

 

Shelly and her husband, Lorin always had the best costumes!

She makes a mean shrimp salad too!

 

Here is a link to all her recipes in the Friday Friend Cookbook Countdown.

(just click on it, all you Friday Friends who are not blog savy)

You know I've mentioned that I kept notebooks of the forum I used to have... this is a best kept secret of mine... but I have memories of all the Friday Friends.  Their oral histories, if you will.

 

In this book of 2004, Shelly says:

That she never serves margarine either. 

(she spelled it wrong---but she is forgiven, because of the statement she made.

margarine is gross!!)