Sophie7713

It was absolutely DELISH! A refreshing change from the conventional chili. Very intriguing flavors! Simmered it on the stove for 45 minutes. We did instant pot the dried black beans in bacon, though. Yummy side.

Tried a new NYT recipe. Chinese chili made with sesame oil, ground beef + pork, fresh ginger, garlic, Chinese 5 spice, soy sauce for dinner.

A day with the Mouse.

Wait, is that a plane? A bird? No, it's SUPERJAKE! What a thrill. So happy for all you have accomplished.

Mermaid to perfection! Love the headband and hair style, too. Ready to hit the runway - I'd say! ouuulala. ;]

The fusion of flavors can be a lot of fun! And, you can get all your nutrients in one. Love salads, and lots of variety cause I eat one everyday. Were kidney stones a result of meat in your diet?

Great minds think alike! With so much down time right now - I'm thinking of getting my horrid bat wing arms done over the summer to be compatible with Dr. Dana's other magic. Might you message with the Miami surgeon you like? Dr. Dana is less experienced in bariatric type skin - but very good. Would like options... Do keep us posted. Take good care. Hugs! Does anyone know what to expect with this procedure? Downtime? Recovery? How are you healing, GT?????? x o ;]

Don't be too hard on yourself! Who the hell knows what day it is anymore?... OMG the monotony of it all. Florida we believe has opened up too fast - too soon and our favorite porch side marina restaurant was packed last night. And, we even went earlier to avoid possible crowding. There was absolutely no indication of a pandemic which still lurks, much less a formidable virus still pursuing hosts. The cavalier attitudes indeed prevail. And, our numbers are spiking again. Mother Smith (85) tested positive last week and was moved to a special wing within her memory care unit. Bless her heart. We have not seen her since March 1st. Any how - looks like dining out may not be a good option just yet. Sooooo back in the apron trapped in the 1950's, I go. Admire ms.sss's bubbly enthusiasm, at this juncture! I so appreciate her can do spirit! Her ingenuity, joy + love for food and family! AND, her graciousnesses to share (along with others) helping to inspire + keep this thread going. Craved a nice salad yesterday. And, this was lunch + dinner tonight - baked chicken thighs in tomato herb sauce. Hoo hum, I know. ;[ Bobby attacks any loud sounding kitchen appliance BUT makes for a happy + lively cooking experience. ;] Counting those little joys...

OH MY ms.sss you're killing me! mr.sss's pasta looks heavenly! Not sure I could have stopped at just one noodle! Amazing team effort - dinner divine. Funny, we were both thinking pasta today. Just shared your post with hubby and he said, bag the spaghetti squash! We're coming up with our clam sauce! And, a taste of the seared scallop dish! Wow. Haha.

Tonight's dinner was clam sauce over spaghetti squash (boy, do I miss the vermicelli though) and summer salad with apples, radishes, red onion + pistachios in the mix. And, of course CHERRIES! ;]

Have you begun to eat more meat, GT? Was thinking you preferred vegetarian. The turkey looks so good - is it Cajun styled? What brand? I can never get a turkey product that has any flavor? Love the glass plate. I really miss going to thrift shops, Goodwill and/or estate sales where you can find really neat and unique vintage specialty plates.

Not overlooking the pretty girl, mind you... but do you notice how pristine the street scape + shoppes look!? All the store front windows sparkle and no trash debris on sidewalks or the street. What a nice welcome back and about. Wouldn't it be fab after quarantine, if every citizen gained a new appreciation for their environments around them doing their part to dispose of their trash properly. So much was taken for granted pre-covid. And, I really want those sunglasses! Haha.

I have a question!? When you ladies make soup or dish with liquids - Do you eat the solid ingredients along with the broth simultaneously? I was instructed from day one after WLS no liquids ½ hour before or ½ hour after a meal. So, when I eat oatmeal - I save the flavored milk to drink later during my drinking water phase etc. Or Navy bean soup tonight - I eat the beans + veggies only but leave the broth. And, often that is the best part! I've trained myself to eat soups differently now. Also, with red curry Thai dish... similar to summerset's recipe - the coconut curry broth is left behind! ;[ Any thoughts on this?

Past Sunday's breakfast banana egg pancakes made by hubby. Cleaned my plate. We use the leftover pancakes for lunch sandwiches. Yum!

WOW... ESP!!!! I told hubs just last night while eating at a local Tex Mex place (and, they did not offer cornbread on the menu) - that I was dying for some good old fashion skillet corn bread! And, here we are. GO CARBS! Love a good hush puppy with corn and jalapeño, too! Hint hint. ;]

Congratulations 2Bsmaller! How are you doing? Are you happy with your results? Were you pleased with your surgeon? Where are you swelling? Do share a picture of the new you! ;] Four months out now - I really have not dealt with much swelling at all accept in the first two weeks. My surgeon enlisted two policies that she believes reduces swelling from day one. She kept the drains in until no more fluids accumulated. Some do not use drains. For me, that was 10 days. And, I was asked to wear the compression garments full time for as long as I could stand them thus, protecting the incisions and the contouring process. She actually had to tell me to take them off now worried about indentations in my skin! Haha. I grew quite fond of this suit of armor (while many hated it)! I felt safe, comfy and compact in it while the healing took place. Suffice to say, I wore it probably 10 + weeks out or more. With the COVID on set, my last follow-up appointment was cancelled and plan to re-schedule soon. I believe wearing the garments helped the scars in their quality recovery, too. You would never know the nipples were re-attached on the new perky breasts. Scaring just is not that noticeable to me at all. I will talk with her to see if we should address my loose neck skin - but that maybe just an age thing (61) and best left natural? Not sure. I did carry a lot of extra weight in my face with a predominant double chin. Will you engage in further plastics?

Soooo instead of dinner and a movie... Will play dinner and a balloon! Dinner tonight was picadillo basically a cuban stew, and a salad. I ate half portion of each. The balloon close-ups are simply amazing. But even more compelling, I had hired the balloon master for a dinner party five years previous to 2018. He was always very heavy set. He arrived at this party much slimmer. When I walked him out to his car after the event - I commented on how great he looked moving so much easier at his art. He told me he had lost 90 pounds and counting after gastric sleeve surgery. I just grinned and said, you won't believe this but I am scheduled for that same surgery in two weeks! Turns out we also enlisted the same surgeon in Boca Raton! He was such an encouragement (a true Christmas gift) as I had never met anyone who made that journey nor struggled with morbid obesity.

DEAL!

Sorry for the tangent! Back on point. Cabbage soup for lunch today. Not cold, but a dreary and rainy week here.

FUN right! Our balloon master made us each a themed balloon for the evening! I guess I got the crown + jewelry because we were the host/hostess! Diamond ring and necklace, too. (Huge Sophie then) Hubby got a big puppy dog. My favorite was Rudolf the red nose reindeer. Adorable!!! And, that single friend assigned Rudolf as her official date for the evening. Haha. Sure is nice to reflect upon happier times right now... I love Christmas time. Entertaining and cooking...for the joy of all. I wonder what Christmas 2020 will bring forth?

DELICIOUS and BEAUTIFUL salad! We tried the apricot chia pudding last night. Way too sweet for my tastes now. The recipe calls for cooking them in fresh orange juice (an overkill) - water next time. And, to think - hubby's carrot cake use to be a favorite! Our Christmas party 2018 right before WLS surgery December 17th. Treasured memories. Glad that sweet tooth, however, has gone bye bye. Anyone else had that fatal attraction for sweets halt after WLS?

What a pretty spring table setting. That prime rib dinner looks pretty yummy to me despite your critique. Very funny about the banana bread. Let's play catch? Maybe become a door stopper after all that loving effort? Happy 65th milestone hubby Cheeseburgh and here's to many, many more less the brick. Haha.

Hey good lookin' we know what ya got cooking... how bout cooking something up for me/us! LOL. What a wondrous feast, Chef SSS! The caramelized onions - right there with the fam on that favorite. WOW.

Leftovers for early supper tonight. Just ate my salad, and nibbled on one strip of the Cuban style skirt steak + a roasted potato. Hubby ate half the food on buffet styled plate. He'll enjoy the rest for tomorrow's lunch. These chops with rosemary and garlic were really tasty! Now, I am contemplating making apricot chia pudding! ;]

Oh NO! Do take good care and wishing you a smooth recovery. Well, I guess it doesn't look too bad for hospital food? The tray bottom is pretty cool! ;]