Just Another Meatloaf Monday

Just another manic meatloaf Monday!

As we were grocery shopping yesterday, Ryan picked up a pack of lean ground beef and looked me with a little smile on his face. “Meatloaf???”

How could I not want to make our beloved BBQ meatloaf (that we also made here)? Why would I not want to enjoy this classic comfort food, perfect for this out-of-control cold weather we’re experiencing in Orlando?

While I got to work prepping the loaf, Ryan built another fire in the fireplace. Ooooh warmth!

Pre-Mixed Meatloaf

Once the meatloaf was ready, we piled our plates with the loaf and some steamed broccoli, cauliflower and carrots.

My Plate

This meal is so satisfying. I’ve had a couple of friends make it and everyone has given it rave reviews. Cooking Light makes some mean recipes!

Obsession

Every now and then I try something that I think will taste pretty decent only to be blown away by how delicious it truly is.

My latest discovery?

Jello Mousse Temptations

Dark chocolate decadence. Do you even have to wonder why I bought this?

I expected the little dessert cup to taste chocolatey and decent, like the other Jello pudding cups, but OH WOW, it was phenomenal and tasted sooooo indulgent.

Dessert

What foodie product have you recently tried that completely exceeded your expectations?

I’m sure it sounds like I’m Jello’s daughter or something with this little love-fest, but I promise I’ve received $0 or incentives to promote this product… it’s just really that good. It’s rich, creamy, light and airy all at once. Try it, and if you hate it, send it to me. 😉

Your Pet’s Diary

I received this email today and as a dog (and cat!) lover, I just had to laugh and share it with all of you:

What Pets Write in Their Diary

Excerpts from the dog’s diary:

 

Your Dog's Thoughts

8:00 am – Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am – A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am – A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am – Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm – Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm – Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm – Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm – Milk Bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm – Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm – Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm – Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

Excerpts from the cat’s diary:

 

Inside Your Cat's Thoughts

Day 983 of my captivity…

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.  They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets.

Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape.  In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet.  I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of.  However, they merely made condescending comments about what a ‘good little hunter’ I am.  Bastards.

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight.  I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event.  However, I could hear the noises and smell the food.  I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of ‘allergies.’  I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking.  I must try this again tomorrow — but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches.  The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released – and seems to be more than willing to return.  He is obviously retarded.

The bird has got to be an informant.  I observe him communicating with the guards regularly.  I am certain that he reports my every move.  My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe.  For now…

Feeling Crabby

I associate certain foods with special occasions.

• Crab (hard shell or soft shell)
• Corned beef
• Grandma’s sugar cookies
• Marble cake
• Clams, oysters, mussels
• Pumpkin pie

I think I associate the above foods with special occasions because they are typically served at holidays or as the main course at birthday dinners at my house.

What food do you associate with a special occasion?

Every year the person whose birthday it is in our house gets to pick out their favorite meal as their big birthday dinner. Soft shell crabs or clams are always popular. I usually pick some kind of seafood or corned beef and cabbage. (It’s so delicious and should be enjoyed on days other than St. Patrick’s Day!)

Since my lunch today featured crab meat (real crab meat, not imitation for once), I feel like today is a special day!

Crab Salad

I made crab salad with light Miracle Whip, mustard, Old Bay and relish and served it on a toasted Alternative sweet wheat bagel with sliced tomato.

Crab Salad Bagelwich

Monday's Lunch

Tasty!

I was excited to enjoy a lunch made with real crab rather than the imitation crab, but to be quite honest, I actually prefer the imitation crab meat in crab salad.

I’m the same way with sushi… gimme the fake crab in my California roll any day!

However, I must say nothing beats the real stuff when it comes to hot crab legs or crab cakes.

Fire!

I cannot remember it ever being this cold in Florida.

Today on the radio they said that though it’s 30 degrees, it feels like it’s 24. When you’re someone who thinks anything below 68 degrees is chilly, this is flippin’ freeeezing!

Yesterday Ryan and I headed to the grocery store to stock up for the week and picked up a big ol’ pack of starter logs to make a blazin’ fire in the fire place.

While I cooked dinner, Ryan got to work building the fire.

In no time at all, the fire was cracklin’ and burning bright.

Fire!

I don’t think I’ve been around a fire in the fire place since I lived in Illinois! It made the whole apartment feel toasty and oh-so-cozy.

Feelin' the Heat

Even Sadie’s eyes were on fire! 😉

We enjoyed our dinner in front of the fire. I ended up straying from the original shepherd’s pie recipe I intended to follow because the only buttermilk that was available that was required for the recipe was nearly $6 at the grocery store! No thanks.

Instead I made a “deconstructed” shepherd’s pie.

After tossing a large chopped potato in olive oil, garlic salt and pepper, I roasted the wedges until they were slightly browned.

Roasted Potatoes

Ryan said the potatoes “stole the show.”

As the based of the deconstructed shepherd’s pie, I combined carrots, onion, celery, sweet corn and ground chicken in a skillet with a sprinkling of garlic salt.

Deconstructed Shepherd's Pie

I topped the chicken and veggies with the roasted potatoes and dug in!

My Bowl

It was a good meal for a cold night!

Today

I bought this cold-weather vest before a trip to Chicago to visit my friends from high school a couple years ago.

Cold Weather Clothing

I never thought I’d actually get to wear it in Florida without looking like a total fool! Well, today’s weather warranted a ridiculous-looking poofy vest! Anything to keep warm…

My morning walk with Sadie was cut short because she was shaking so badly. I felt awful for her! She kept looking up at me like “Mama, are you insane!? Take me home. Even my pee is freezing.”

When we got back to the apartment Sadie made a bee-line for our bed and went right under the covers.

Lump o' Sadie

Yes, she really is under there. Sadie loves sleeping under the covers. She will literally stand there and look at you until you lift up the sheets so she can crawl under and curl up before bed.

Inevitably, about 45 minutes later, she gets too hot and starts thrashing about until she gets out from underneath the blankets and sleeps on top. It happens every single night… well every night she’s actually allowed to sleep in the bed (which has been quite frequently lately because Ryan and I are softies and feel bad for her sleeping in the living room in the cold).

Breakfast

My breakfast today was highlighted by the peanut butter filled pretzels I bought yesterday.

Yummy Treats

I combined the pretzels and a handful of Emerald cocoa roast almonds and used the sweet and salty combo as a mix-in for my Greek yogurt.

Monday's Breakfast

Is there any better combination in the world than chocolate and peanut butter?