Dishing it Out..Out and About

Minnesota dinner was a hit. It was a small group of us, but my mother-in-law joined us for dinner prior to heading for one of her many bridge clubs. It was a good thing we opted not to do a bigger get together as I might have not been able to feed the masses. Though, I do have the equivalent of the next size smaller baking dish, of Tator Tot hotdish left. While that sounds like it wasn't a hit, there were only five of us eating that one, as I made a veggie version for DD#1, and the pan was full. The picture above is post oven and here is it in it's raw uncooked state. MMMM...tots.

DD#1 made the "salad" under my guesstimated directions. I said I don't generally make these quintessential Minnesota delicacies, so was going by what I thought my sister always puts in hers. If you didn't really believe it, yes, those are Snickers candy bars in that bowl with the apples. Leftovers include the hot dish, one serving of the veggie version, about one and 1/2 cups of wild rice soup, and two spoonfuls of Snickers salad. I made those white chocolate cake mix cookies as well as the brownies, so there are also plenty of treats going into the week. A themed dinner party was kind of fun. I imagine my MIL will tell of the "event" to her bridge friends and others, throughout the week as this would be something we would hear her tell us about-in great detail. 

My weekend isn't only about cooking. DD#2 and I headed over to the armory where a craft and vendor fair was going on. I love a good craft and vendor show, but had decided unless something really seemed necessary (and really what would be necessary) I was just looking and getting out of the house. I almost succumbed three times. First, Tastefully Simple was having a show special, of $5.00 shipping on an order of $50.00 or more, plus many items discounted. I love having dip and spread packets, quick bread mixes, and interesting jams and sauces at the ready. However, with the variety in the grocery stores these days, a co-op in town, and several whole foods stores between work and home, there is no reason to order these kinds of convenience foods. I think companies like this and the other one I know, Wild Tree served a purpose at one time when wholesome, easy to prepare foods were hard to come by-when things like cream of something soups were the norm for busy people.

There were two side by side tables  of hand knit and hand braided dish cloths, pot scrubbers, and rag rugs. I love the quality of the dishcloths-thick, but with enough give that they fit in a glass or around a curved dish. The rag rugs were gorgeous, and one would look so good in my entry! I passed on both. I'm sure combined ages of the sweet ladies selling their wares was at least 160 and they were chatting up a storm with everyone, so hard not to buy something. The final gauntlet element was the bakery stand with slices of cheesecake and gourmet cupcakes. The coconut cream had my name on it and the red velvet had DD#2's. We were brave, and walked briskly past, remembering I had a kitchen full of treats at home. 

On the calendar today is church, haircuts, some clothes purging, and the show choir banquet. DD#1 and friend are with us another day, not that we'll see much of them as they have plans again in Minneapolis. D has kept R busy and they went to a late  comedy improv show last night in a trendy part of the city. They were home well after I had hit my bed, having the need of several ibuprofen as those lower back muscles were causing me loads of grief, somewhat out of the blue about the time I was doing final dinner prep. I had planned to meet my friend S and others that came out for a piano bar night as an old friend of hers, acquaintance of mine, was in town, but knew I couldn't deal with driving or even riding in a car. Today is the best day of the weekend weather wise, and my back feels better, so time to get on with my day.