From No Supper to 3 Meals

Last Wednesday I had no idea what we would have for supper. I reviewed what was in the freezer and what was in the pantry, and I came up with absolutely nothing. I finally decided it would be pancakes.

Then it occurred to me that I had a doctor’s appointment in the afternoon, and that I could swing by the grocery store on the way home. I took a quick look at the store’s advertisement. Nothing really appealed to me or made a suggestion. But then I saw Marie Callender’s pot pies in the frozen foods ad section. That clinched it. Pot pies for supper.

Stopping at the grocery store after the appointment, I headed straight for the frozen food aisles. But in doing so, I had to walk past the checkout area. There, on a display, were deli-baked whole chickens. Those chickens are usually in the deli area, seldom at the front of the store. It seemed to be an omen. So I quickly revised our supper menu and picked up a roasted chicken. I also grabbed a couple pot pies for a later meal.

We ate half the chicken for supper Wednesday night. Along with mashed potatoes and frozen vegetables. Of the other half of the chicken, I saved a leg and a few chunks of breast for a lunch meal for me. And the remaining chicken became a Mexican soup for Thursday’s supper. Also Friday’s supper and a couple lunches.

I went from having no idea what was for supper to having 3+ suppers planned pretty quickly when I impulse-buyed the deli rotisserie chicken.

Hearty Mexican Chicken Soup
Total time:            30 minutes
Serves:                   8

1 large yellow onion, chopped
1 Tbsp. oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1 qt. (4 cups) fat-free reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 can (15.5 oz.) cannellini beans, rinsed
1 C. thick & chunky salsa
2 C. shredded rotisserie chicken
1 C. frozen corn
2 green onions, chopped
1/4 C. chopped fresh cilantro
1 C. Mexican-style shredded cheese

Cook yellow onions in hot oil in large saucepan on medium heat 6 to 7 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently. Add garlic and cumin; cook and stir 1 minute.

Add broth, beans and salsa; stir. Bring to boil. Stir in chicken and corn. Return to boil; simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.

Stir in green onions and cilantro. Serve topped with cheese.

Note: Add one can RO-TEL diced tomatoes with chilies. 

Kraft Foods     01/2020

Change of Command

“That’s Mrs. Potter. She always goes on the right side of my desk. Five sisters and not a bum in the bunch.”

“I never start the day without throwing Mrs. Potter a salute.”

Mom's Christmas Carols Music

Each year when the box of Christmas decorations was brought out, Mom's Christmas carols music book also made an appearance.

If you study the numbers in the upper left-hand corner of the cover, you'll see that "25" is underlined.  My guess is that is the price of the carols book: 25¢.

The title page bears 3 copyright dates.  I'm guessing that Mom's book was printed in 1952, the 3rd date: MCMLII.

When the Christmas decorations were packed away, the carols book went back into the box.  That way the book survived many years.  None of us knows what finally happened to it.  It was probably pitched during one of Mom's clean-outs.

Kinda Cold

November 11, 12, and 13, 2019