Happy Fall🍁
Xo j
💚
I LOVE Fall!!! Who doesn't love the cooler temperatures & the scents in the air from the last fresh cut grass & the intoxicating smell of a fire pit? Ahhhh! The beautiful leaves are so colorful. It's just cozy weather. I snapped a couple of pics at the farm on Saturday of pumpkins & gourds but it was NOT cool fall weather, by any means (85f)! Oh well, one can't complain about a gorgeous cloudless sky. Does anyone bake fresh pumpkin? I have before but it's too time consuming now. I do roast the seeds, after the kids carve them. Fun, simple & oh-so-tasty treat.
Happy Fall🍁 Xo j 💚
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Yesterday, I. cubed a pumpkin panettone & mixed it with a silky blend of:
9 eggs 1/2 cup milk (or heavy cream if you prefer) 2 tbsp cinnamon 1/2 cup sugar 1 tbsp vanilla extract 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice Whip it and pour over cubes. Let it soak and then place in coconut oil sprayed ramekins (about 5 or 6) that are on a foil lined baking sheet. Place a dollop of butter over each top and a sprinkle of chopped candied pecans. Place in a preheated 350F/40 minutes or until the center is completely cooked (check as you would with a cake ....clean toothpick) Drizzle caramel over top & serve (or confectioners sugar or vanilla ice cream or a thousand other things....the toppings are endless) Servings: 1-2 ppl per ramekin or not😂 Enjoy!! Xo j 💚 So, one day in the OR, about six weeks ago, my friend and I were thinking about what is lacking at the National Harbor as far as grab-n-go lunch items. We both said: "Pizza!" I said: "Well, it could happen with my food truck idea." She asked: "What would you do & how?" I said: "Grill it and the customer would choose from topping combos." It would be quick, made to order, specialty pizzas. There would be the signature classic pepperoni, cheese & vegetable pizzas but you're going to want the classic Mama Mia (hehe...that would be my creation...& of course, my favorite pizza). The Mama Mia would be everything you'd want for a pizza: decadent, cheesy, delicious, guilt-in-every-bite & make ya wanna nap afterwards!
Back to the concept....it is possible & a great idea. Not everyone has time to sit down and wait for lunch (most only get a whopping 30 minutes). Like with every passionate venture, this one has been brewing for almost a decade now. I believe in it & know it WILL WORK & BE SUCCESSFUL. If there's one thing I've learned over the years, it's that I'm extremely determined and motivated when I set my sights on a goal or project. My creative brain won't stop with ideas & I'm not one to just coast through life. I've always said: "There's more to life than this (the stress and chaos that comes from nursing) and I'm willing to work even harder for something I believe in. A few years ago, I had a patient, sweet woman, and she talked about her kids and grandkids. Her husband was there too. And, quietly sitting on the couch was this bearded ginger haired young man with trendy black glasses. He was visibly uncomfortable having to be at the hospital. (I can't blame him). She introduced her son to me and said: "He owns a few butcher shops in the area and has a hot dog cart!" I literally began to sweat, as if I were in the presence of someone great (like a rockstar or movie star). I said: "Shoot! Really? That's awesome. All I've ever wanted is to have my own food truck!" He graciously chuckled. Mom interjected (as they sometimes do) with: "Honey, give her your card. He can show you around & he will." A few minutes later, he left. He kindly gave me his business card. My patient said: "You know, he was on a different business path and one day switched. He works so many long hours but he told his mom: "I don't mind because it's what I love to do!" I never forgot that encounter & how humble he was about his success. Too many times, we hear about the blubbering over-the-top foodies...ugh. Let's face it, until the Food Network, we didn't praise chefs for having the ability to cook. It was usually silent appreciation & that was enough. Working hard and staying passionate about what you do are the keys to success. I believe that anything is possible; but, you have to try. If I fail, it won't be because I didn't give it my all. And, no, I never got that butcher shop tour....😊 Happy Friday! Xo j 💚 ps...those cards are connected to the sterile surgical gown ties. We pull them as the doctor or tech ties their gown together in a sterile technique. I had to write my thoughts down then and there because I'm too undiagnosed ADHD to leave work and remember my own concept😂 As simple as:
1/2 cup sour cream 1/3 cup olive oil 1 tbsp vinegar 1 bunch of cilantro 1 PINCH (yes) of black pepper, salt, garlic powder and a dusting of smoked paprika over top. If you like it saltier, (like I do), by all means, season to your liking. It's all about enhancing the base flavor. It was a perfect salad dressing and for dipping fried potatoes and sausage...or on a anything, really!😋 Enjoy! Xo j 💚 I used to be an avid runner....like 6 days a week avid. It was a great stress reliever until I wore my right hip out (and found out that my right leg is a smidge shorter than my left...who knew...?!)
Then life happened and one excuse after the other and my running took a back seat. I've decided with this new job, I need to shake things up and get back on track again. In the meantime, let's all laugh at this oh-so-cute, yet very true meme. Happy Wednesday. Xo j 💚 Man, it's been quite a year! I've learned SO MUCH! I can't even begin to tell you. I turned 40 and everything changed in an instant. I stepped out of my comfort zone and took on another full time job as a circulating nurse in an OR. (I know right?!) I continued working my part time job, all the while I was completing my nursing degree (7 weeks remain!!) ...life happened in fast forward.
And here, again, I'm at a crossroad. I quit the OR job. I quit the part time position at the hospital and I took on a case management position (at the same hospital and on the same joint replacement unit). I'm terrified of failure; so, I enter this as I have all of my other pursuits, with trepidation. I've been told: "You'll be fine!" And, yes, I'm sure in a year, I'll look back at my fear and laugh at it. But, until then, my jaw remains clenched at night, I don't sleep well....and, I'm ready to cry at any given moment. My weekends remain free to do what I LOVE to do---get in the kitchen with my girls & sometime the boys. Today, I was inspired to make Swedish meatballs and then thought they would be delicious served in a toasted bun. So, that's what I did. They were great and, when I thought there would be enough for my lunch tomorrow, those almost 15 year old twin boys had a "midnight" snack. I'll attach a couple of photos. No recipe for now. I'm just too tired. When you think of me, just say a prayer that the next 3 months go somewhat smoothly. I need to exhale. Good night friends! 💚 Xo J |
Decadent can be healthy....
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