G-man's folks have been staying with us since Thursday, heading home tomorrow. It's been a bit of a flying visit; I think the Juj was hoping for a bit more time together, but with school, and the school's Fall Festival as well as the church's annual Halloween Party on Saturday, and church on Sunday...well, it's been a whirlwind.
Actually managed to get a photo of us early in the evening at the Halloween party for a change, so I hope to post a picture of the "Fam In Black" soon. We went in MIB costumes - black suits, shades, and name tags that said "G", "D", and "J". And in the cakewalk, "J" won some mini-cupcakes that are still calling to me from their home in the microwave (safe from the cats, not so safe from me and Gram).
In other good news, I received my official offer letter from the company that is buying out my division. Nice equitable offer, including vacation & benefits, and so I guess my employment situation is as secure as any can be in this day and age. *phew & blessings counted*
On the food front, we hit Babe's Chicken en famille Friday night. Next time, gotta remember that it's BYOB, in Carrollton at least.
Saturday night, I made a quick pot of corn chowder (hooray for frozen potatoes o'brien -- that's the heart of your system, along with some nice southwest spices).
Sunday, Ron and Elsa joined us and we had:
- Arugula, Avocado & Fennel Salad, simply dressed with olive oil, lemon juice and perhaps a bit much salt (inspired by Verdura)
- Chicken Provencal with Orange Peel, Saffron, and Basil (thanks, Cook's Illustrated)
- Polenta with Parmesan
- Lemony Haricots Vertes with lemon-thyme & lemon zest
- Pair of Sugar Free Ricotta Cremes: Citrus and Mocha (inspired by Verdura & South Beach Diet book)
Tonight, I made a quick and yummy supper of
- Sauteed pork chops with my spicy-sweet BBQ rub
- Savory apple chutney (leftovers from the freezer, but just as delicious as the first time)
- Can o' baked beans
- Green beans & polenta reprise from Sunday
Not sure what the week will bring, other than a conference call too damn early tomorrow, then the hubster is off to Cleveland Wednesday for a UUCF board meeting, and J & I have a birthday party to attend, then Halloween weekend, then hopefully dinner with friends the next weekend, then a little surgery for me (more on that later; nothing major, except it will require some bed rest, and you can bet that will mean too much time on the intar-web for me), then before you know it, Thanksgiving, and then maybe the deal will close and the new employer will be official (God and government regulators willing), and then Christmas and New Year's...I'm tired just thinking about it!
Oh, and for all you cold-blooded sun worshippers, I have to show my true (Northerner) colors -- I LOVE our recent weather. Rainy and clouds is so much more autumnal than sun and humidity. Although it would be nice if it would get cold enough to kill off the fleas and mosquitoes! (Pet owners, can I get an "amen" on the flea infestation?! Worst summer ever; have had indoor cats for ten years here and this is the first time we've had a flea problem.)
